Fake Resveratrol's Heath Benefits?

Turns out the benefits of red wine due to its content of resveratrol may be fake/falsified after all! Nothing is sure yet but last week, on Jan. 11, after an investigation that lasted 3 years, Dipak K Das, PhD, “one of the world’s great red wine and resveratrol researchers with more than 150 PubMed articles” was charged for allegedly doctoring results in at least 26 peer-reviewed resveratrol papers over 7 years!

Resveratrol is a phytoestrogen and an antioxidant found in the skins of grapes and therefore, has been known to its cardioprotective properties of red wine. It is also found in various types of berries such as cranberries and blueberries, as well as a little amount in peanuts. According to Dr. Das's articles, resveratrol has been shown to be a very important and potent antioxidants, capable of scavenging free radicals that, when accumulated, increase oxidation of the cells, causing premature aging disrupting the cell's functions. Therefore, Dr. Das has been working on more than hundreds of studies to show how resveratrol can be the next anti-cancer/ anti-cardiovascular/ anti-inflammatory molecule! The man was about to replace aspirin with resveratrol!

Investigations are still in progress and you can read the detailed 50 page report about the Special Review Board Report Investigation of Allegation of Research Misconduct by the Office of Research Integrity.

Dr. Dipak's work as the director of Connecticut's Cardiovascular Research Center is now suspended as well as as his 900,000 $ research programs!

We'll just have to wait and see about the future of resveratrol (and red wine) and their nutritional potential!


References: Investigation Report, CTmirror.org, Chicagotribune, Nutraingredients
Photos: Red Wine