In a previous article, it was mentioned that the grape polyphenol, Resveratrol, was found by Japanese scientists to be helpful in blocking changes in the test tube cells induced by Helicobacter Pylori.  This is one of the microbes responsible for causing ulcers.

Other scientists have been curious about the effects of Resveratrol on the rest of the GI tract, not just on ulcers.

Grapes are squeezed under pressure to get the grape juice out.  The substances that remains are all the solid materials found in the grape.  This remaining material is called pomace.  It’s the same with any other fruit or vegetable.  For example, when olives are pressed the old fashioned way with an 8 to 10-foot diameter flat stone that revolves around a fulcrum, the golden olive oil is collected, leaving the pomace. That pomace, no matter if it’s from grapes, olives or other fruits and vegetables, is full of polyphenols and plant constituents, many which may be beneficial to one’s health.

In a study coming out of Madrid, Spain, the country with the greatest number of acres of vineyards, scientists took that grape pomace which is rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols and investigated how it interacted with the flora in the colon.

Many dietary polyphenols are not absorbed in the small intestine but they interact with microbes in the colon.  The big question was what do polyphenols do to the growth of Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

Lactobacillus Acidophilus is one of the primary types of bacteria found in the GI system.  It’s there for us to synthesize vitamins and help balance the pH.  It feeds the tissues of the colon and keeps pathogenic bacteria in check.  Without enough Lactobacillus bacteria in the colon, there’s more of a tendency to become prone to GI illnesses.  In the field of alternative healing and complementary medicine, probiotic supplements that are taken can calm down quite a few GI system upsets so practitioners frequently recommend them.  These often contain Lactobacillus as the primary strain of bacteria.

Scientists found that grape polyphenols stimulated the production of Lactobacillus Acidophilus in test tube experiments.

If this same effect works inside human GI systems, it’s a great thing.  It could mean that the grape polyphenols might be enough of a pre-biotic for the colon and that Lactobacillus probiotic capsules may not need to be taken, or taken at a lower dose.  Only time will tell. In the meantime, I’ll continue taking my Vindure 900.

Filed under: resveratrol