(Jamaica-Gleaner) - The human capacity to learn and form memories could be enhanced by a popular antioxidant compound present in red wine, according to a study conducted by scientists in Germany.

The substance, touted for its ostensible myriad of health benefits and the subject of wide research for some time, occurs naturally in the skin and seeds of red grapes and can also be found in dark chocolate, peanuts, and blueberries.

This most recent study undertaken by researchers at the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, shows a significant improvement of short-term memory capacity and general memory performance, while studies conducted by the likes of Harvard Medical School and Johns HopkinsUniversity in the past, have previously shown that resveratrol reduces cardiovascular-related problems, protects against stroke, and improves vision.

According to the micronutrient research facility, the Linus Pauling Institute of the Oregon State University USA, the amount of resveratrol found in one glass of wine ranges from 0.2 milligrams to 2.0mg.

Scientists administered 200mg of the compound to 23 healthy, overweight, participants between the ages of 50 and 75 daily over a period of six months. Participants taking the resveratrol supplement performed better in memory tests than a placebo group, and were better able to recall a list of words they had seen half an hour earlier.

FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIONS

Those receiving this proposed panacea also formed more functional connections to the area of the brain associated with memory and learning. Additionally, improved metabolism of glucose was noticed, leading to a reduction in body fat. Overweight individuals were chosen to take part in the study as they have been found to be more responsive to resveratrol.

Exactly how much resveratrol is needed to confer its much-lauded health benefits is not yet fully understood, but the researchers in this most recent study believe their findings may demonstrate credible evidence that taking resveratrol supplements may boost memory and prevent cognitive decline in elderly people.