Slashdot Mirror


Red Wine Counters Some Negative Health Effects of Microgravity

astroengine writes "Great news for astronaut red wine aficionados: the alcoholic beverage can counteract some of the most troublesome physiological effects of microgravity. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on whether or not you have to pilot a spaceship), you have to drink a lot of wine to reap any benefit. These findings are fresh from the labs of French researchers (abstract) who found that by dosing unfortunate rats — hung by their tails to simulate microgravity — with resveratrol (a compound found in red wine), they could help stave off bone density loss and muscle atrophy. Does this mean resveratrol is an astronaut's best friend? Possibly, but judging by the quantities that are needed, it would most likely come in supplement form, rather than 750 ml bottles."

78 comments

  1. Another "DUH!" science by oldhack · · Score: 1

    Booze counters lotsa stuff.

    --
    Fuck systemd. Fuck Redhat. Fuck Soylent, too. Wait, scratch the last one.
    1. Re:Another "DUH!" science by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Booze increases susceptibility to full gravity ...

    2. Re:Another "DUH!" science by black+soap · · Score: 1

      Booze induces variable gravity?

    3. Re:Another "DUH!" science by PlatyPaul · · Score: 1
      --
      Misery loves company. Online misery loves unsuspecting random strangers.
  2. MMMMmmmm by rubycodez · · Score: 2

    Fermented grapes...is there anything they can't do?

    1. Re:MMMMmmmm by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

      You know, it's interesting, in my experience red wine has directly caused me to experience microgravity.

      Half a bottle and I'm walking on air. A full bottle and I can't feel my feet. A bottle and a half and I'm on my way to the moon.

      The border condition appears at approximately the two bottle mark. Microgravity disappears and I re-enter what feels like three or four gees. Finally, I end up looking through the porcelain port-hole, driving the bus, doing the technicolor yawn. Talking to Ralph on the big white telephone. "Hello, Raaaalph!"

      Ah, Dionysus, how you taunt us!

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    2. Re:MMMMmmmm by Hatta · · Score: 1

      This is pretty obvious if you think about it. Everyone knows that gravity can be simulated by centripetal acceleration. Drink enough wine and the room starts spinning.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    3. Re:MMMMmmmm by blair1q · · Score: 1

      No. They can give you cancer just like most other things.

    4. Re:MMMMmmmm by rubycodez · · Score: 2

      No, the focus of your article was BOOZE, not red wine, which is a different matter. Proven anti-carcinogenic properties, proven antibacterial and antibiotic-like properties, proven anti-arterial plaque properties, proven cardiovascular health benefits.

      Quit your prudish teetotaling whining, get your wuss ass down to the liquor store, and plug into a bottle of God's own cure to half a man's ills.

    5. Re:MMMMmmmm by KliX · · Score: 1

      Please mod the parent post up, it's a work of art.

  3. Hah, I bet it's just a red wine marketing ploy.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I mean, it's coming from ze French, after all.

  4. French solution by mmarlett · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why is it that every time the French see a problem, they throw red wine at it? I'm not being mean, just curious. They make fine cheeses, too, but you never see them suggesting cheese for bone-mass loss.

    1. Re:French solution by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      it's called "the French problem"....they smoke, they eat rich fat foods including cheese, they drink wine, but have longer life expectancy and fewer heart problems than Americans who "live and eat healthy"

    2. Re:French solution by siddesu · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Because they produce and sell a lot of it, and want to sell even more. So there's always a sum of money around for every honest scientist, who can pen something that the wine marketing departments can use. I have very rarely seen research on the health benefits of wine that wasn't sponsored in some way by those who make it. Come to think of it, all positive "wine benefit" science that I bothered to research the funding for was paid for by the wine industry.

    3. Re:French solution by Needlzor · · Score: 1

      Yes. And it's a problem. I guess we're going to see if some red wine can solve it (yes, I'm french).

    4. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But cheese does prevent bone-mass loss. It's full of calcium.

    5. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It was called the French Paradox, but it no longer exists.

      When they ate small meals of rich foods (fresh and organic, not processed) and walked or rode their bikes everywhere, the exercise and moderation kept them healthy inspite of the apparent unhealthiness of their lifestyle. Now that they've largely adopted the American lifestyle -- eat to excess, eat processed foods instead of fresh, drive instead of exercise -- their rates of heart disease match ours.

    6. Re:French solution by king+neckbeard · · Score: 3, Funny

      If you only have a problem, you nail it by getting hammered
      or something like that..

      --
      This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
    7. Re:French solution by Pete+Venkman · · Score: 1

      *Citation needed. I mean that sounds good, but I don't want to just believe it without some proof.

    8. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are Americans who "live and eat healthy"?
      Like... Subways instead of Burger King? ;)

      Sorry mate, that's still not good.
      It's a common misunderstanding, that fat would always lead to becoming fat. But it has resulted in the fat being replaced by even more highly-concentrated short carbohydrates. With the worst thing being, that even pharmacists thinking that fructose or dextrose would somehow be "healthy".

      Also, the French don't smoke more than other people. That's a clichee.

      But sugars in all forms, and even starch, when in high concentrations (well, "low" for US circumstances), have been found (see Dr. M. O. Bruker's 50-year studies involving >30,000 patients) to be the main cause of health problems. (Together with heated animal proteins, and refined vital-substance-lacking industrial food in general.)

      We tested this ourselves. We were extremely generous with vegetable fats (like olive oil) and even partially animal fats, but if we ate carbohydrates, they had to be at least whole-grain ones. (We also stopped eating heated animal proteins, mainly dairy products. Only a nice rare steak, Mett (yes, raw, but tastes great on bread rolls with onions and pepper), tartare, or similar stuff was allowed.)

      After a initial adjustment phase (with a good amount of flatulence ;), our general health and well-being improved dramatically. Our minds were clearer, our digestion was flawless, etc. In the long run, I have no doubt that many so-called age-related diseases would never show. (And the studies showed exactly this.)

      So our definitions of "rich" might differ. As I think more of richness in variation and taste, and you might think more of fattiness.

      Also, wine actually helps against heart problems. That is well-known.

    9. Re:French solution by rubycodez · · Score: 3, Informative

      false, on list of countries sorted by decreasing life expectancy, Japan is at the top. France is number 10, United States is NUMBER 36!!

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy

      "rates of death from coronary heart disease among males aged 35–74 years were 115 per 100,000 people in the U.S. but only 83 per 100,000 in France."

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Paradox

    10. Re:French solution by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      See my reply above yours.

      I personally believe it is due to wine, more sex, and the right kind of fats and oils.

    11. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's actually the "French paradox", but I think I like your version better... too many French in this world, and I'm one, too !

    12. Re:French solution by jones_supa · · Score: 1

      But cheese does prevent bone-mass loss. It's full of calcium.

      The parent comment didn't deny that. It just said that French like to talk more about health properties of wine than, say, cheese.

    13. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      they smoke, they eat rich fat foods including cheese, they drink wine, but have longer life expectancy and fewer heart problems than Americans who "live and eat healthy"

      That's because fat doesn't cause heart disease. This is simultaneously well documented and poorly accepted. Sugars and grains are the foods that cause heart disease. Humans evolved eating fatty foods, not grains and sugar.

    14. Re:French solution by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      I personally prefer German red wines (I know!), but I can drink to that idea.

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
    15. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It seems like we need a French Solution.
      We could use force-feeders and a lot of grain, then life expectancy of Irish children would improve.

    16. Re:French solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can I get a sample? I am partial to Spanish wines, and some French ones and I think some good wines come from the new lands like Chile. Of German wines I only remember hearing second hand accounts from the Roman Empire stating that they are awful.
      However, if their wines were anything like modern Italian wine, it could well be that German wines are the best thing ever.

    17. Re:French solution by riT-k0MA · · Score: 1

      The French consumed less sugar, which causes more health problems than fats do.

    18. Re:French solution by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      "problem" in the context meant "puzzle" or "paradox". I think we should emulate the French, and drink more wine, have more sex, and eat more French cuisine; making more virtual french people in this world

    19. Re:French solution by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      German wines are generally sweeter than those from other countries, and rarely have a very oaky flavor, though they can still be earthy. There are a few blended reds I like, and some blended whites, but my favorites are Riesling and Gewurztraminer, both somewhat sweet whites.

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
  5. This Article says a lot about Science by Hardhead_7 · · Score: 1

    Well, science journalism. So, tentative results from an animal trial using a compound that happens to be found in some wines (mostly red, but not all red and in some whites), cocoa, and peanuts leads to a headline about drinking in space? Really?

    1. Re:This Article says a lot about Science by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Spin the bottle is a reallllllllllllllly long game in space.

    2. Re:This Article says a lot about Science by Zephyn · · Score: 1

      Well, science journalism. So, tentative results from an animal trial using a compound that happens to be found in some wines (mostly red, but not all red and in some whites), cocoa, and peanuts leads to a headline about drinking in space? Really?

      Process of elimination. You don't get peanuts when you fly anymore.

  6. Poor Research. by Hylandr · · Score: 4, Funny

    The atrophy claim is likely caused by the rats using their muscles to try and get upright. This sounds a lot like French researchers getting bored and drunk at work and said "Hey, Lets hang rats by their tails!! Woo hoo!"

    - Dan.

    --
    ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
    1. Re:Poor Research. by Unixnoteunuchs · · Score: 1

      Poor rats

    2. Re:Poor Research. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The following applies to a lot of posts I see on Slashdot.

      The atrophy claim is likely caused by the rats using their muscles to try and get upright.

      It's highly likely that if you've thought of this, the researchers running the project did so a long time ago and have factored it in.

    3. Re:Poor Research. by Hylandr · · Score: 1

      Whhhooooosh.

      - Dan

      --
      ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
    4. Re:Poor Research. by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      are you getting, the rats were trashed and loving it

    5. Re:Poor Research. by Unixnoteunuchs · · Score: 1

      I would not like to be suspended by my tailbone, even if I were really drunk.

    6. Re:Poor Research. by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      how unscientific, you have made that statement without experimental confirmation. I would suggest a few drunken tailbone hanging sessions with a dominatrix before making rash judgments.

  7. RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Muscles and bones are different things. Bone atrophy is caused by not putting weight on your bones. Occasionally using your muscles doesn't really change that. Hic.

  8. It's a good thing too. by Culture20 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Jesus walked on water and ascended bodily; two instances of micro gravity. He would normally need a lot of red wine to counter the effects, but as it turns out, that's His blood.

    1. Re:It's a good thing too. by JonySuede · · Score: 1

      +1 000 000 funny

      --
      Jehovah be praised, Oracle was not selected
    2. Re:It's a good thing too. by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      If Jesus is real (I'm Christian, so I believe he is/was) and has no sense of humor (I'm pretty sure he does, but here's for arguments' sake), then I'm probably going to hell for laughing so hard at this.

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
    3. Re:It's a good thing too. by Culture20 · · Score: 1

      I'm a believer too. God made the platypus, so I'm sure humor is high on His list.

    4. Re:It's a good thing too. by Permutation+Citizen · · Score: 0

      I'm quite sure Jesus has a great sense of humor. What's pity is so many people don't understand his jokes and still believe his hoax.

  9. Re:Oh wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The research gives clues that seem to point to a potential health benefit to humans in modern space programs. You're the only one that's brought up legend and fantasy.

  10. Yesssir by obarthelemy · · Score: 1

    Red wine will fix most anything, yessssir, here have a little more !

    --
    The Cloud - because you don't care if your apps and data are up in the air.
    1. Re:Yesssir by presidenteloco · · Score: 1

      ...Comin' right up. Hold on. I'll just open this hatch door and get you another bottle.

      Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhit!

      --

      Where are we going and why are we in a handbasket?
  11. Grapes, not wine by markdavis · · Score: 1

    I suspect like most claims of positive "red wine" effects, it has nothing to do with wine and everything to do with grapes.

    Drink grape juice, eat red grapes, take grape seed extract (and/or Resveratrol). None of it has anything to do with wine. People that claim "wine" instead of "grapes" just want a valid excuse to sell or drink alcohol :)

    1. Re:Grapes, not wine by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      You say this like it's a bad thing.

    2. Re:Grapes, not wine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resveratrol#Plants_and_foods Yup your right. You can drink way more grape juice than wine too!!

    3. Re:Grapes, not wine by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      no, a fifth of grape juice is way too much of a sugary drink, I would throw up and have a headache. A fifth of wine presents no problem whatsoever....

    4. Re:Grapes, not wine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I see you didn't notice the smiley at the end of GP's post. Smileys make everything a good thing. If North Korea's official name was spelled "Democratic People's Republic of Korea :)" it will be a popular holiday resort.

    5. Re:Grapes, not wine by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      I have the opposite "problem". That much wine would make me throw up and give me a headache. Though those would be postponed until the next day, of course. Maybe I should just mix the two?

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
  12. Scientists advise "Get Shitface on Smirnoff Ice" by Dogtanian · · Score: 1

    Well, science journalism. So, tentative results from an animal trial using a compound that happens to be found in some wines (mostly red, but not all red and in some whites), cocoa, and peanuts leads to a headline about drinking in space? Really?

    Well, it's from the same "science" and "learning" channel that brought you American Chopper and Hot Rod.

    Anyway, wait till this story hits the mainstream press a couple more steps down the line, it'll be turned into another "drinking red wine is good for you!" story. Then people will half-remember the bits they want to remember and a month later they'll be using this as some excuse to get totally shitfaced because they vaguely remembered something about Smirnoff Ice being good for you, and the more the better, etc.

    Not entirely joking- there were stories in the UK press about how *very* high quality bitter chocolate (i.e. so much damn cocoa solids there literally wasn't room to pack them full of fat and sugar anyway) was supposedly good for you if you ate like *one square* a day. It was already blatantly an excuse for a "chocolate is good for you" story, telling people what they want to hear, and I was damn sure that people would remember it as "it's okay to eat a 200g bar of sodding Cadbury's Dairy Milk because it's good for you".

    Sure enough, some time later, one of my work colleagues had a bog-standard chocolate bar and was telling me how chocolate was good for you. So, yeah.

    --
    "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
  13. The Autopilot?!? That drunk? by barlevg · · Score: 1

    Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on whether or not you have to pilot a spaceship)

    Doesn't the shuttle basically pilot itself at this point? Then again, I suppose you have a whole different sort of issues if your autopilot starts drinking...

    1. Re:The Autopilot?!? That drunk? by mbone · · Score: 1

      Doesn't the shuttle basically pilot itself at this point? Then again, I suppose you have a whole different sort of issues if your autopilot starts drinking...

      From what I hear the pilots have a lot to do on landing and you would not them to be too distracted during their no-power, one-pass-only, dead-stick landing.

      (BTW, I have found that telling pilots who have to train for years to fly something that it "basically pilots itself" is not a good conversation starter.)

  14. Homer would have said... by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

    To Red Wine! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems!

  15. Re:Oh wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Please describe what possible benefit can come of staying one year vs. 6 months in orbit? What are we exploring? You're inside a tin can, going in circles. That is all we'll ever do in space. Space Nutters cling desperately to the imagery and symbolism of the Space Age, and I guarantee that in any space-related story, there will be at least one Space Nutter stating in all seriousness how we "need to get off this rock". (As if, somehow, all the other planets out there aren't just rocks too. No, they're magical, full of oil and resources to plunder and build more suburbs and have children upon... Like any religion, Space Nuttery promises a lot to its true believers!)

    Pathetic, jejune, delusional and completely utterly impossible, ever.

    Unless we've missed a fundamental force or two in the Universe? We've looked. Did we miss any chemical elements with magical properties? We've looked too.

    We'll need to explore new ways of living right here on Earth. That's scary for people raised in a system based on continual growth. Eventually, you start seeing the walls of your Petri dish. But you were promised the universe in movies, stories and TV shows! And you weren't given the tools to analyze these stories critically! And when they ARE given to you, you refuse the conclusion!

  16. Can't drink on the American side by mbone · · Score: 1

    On the ISS, by the International Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement (Section 5.2), each country's law applies in the section it supplies. The American's do not allow alcohol in their sections, but I guess in the ESA and Russian modules, wine would be OK. Now, if we could just get the Dutch to launch a module, the astronauts could also enjoy some hash, which I am sure would be good for... something.

  17. Hanging by Tail = Microgravity? by ndrw · · Score: 1

    How does hanging a rat by its tail simulate microgravity?

  18. Re:Oh wow by Unkyjar · · Score: 1

    Here, have a little troll food:

    So your solution to finding new ways of living here on earth is to spend all your time and effort attacking nerds on a nerd website for liking space and astronauts.

    Yeah, it's the space people who are irrational and nuts.

  19. Hmm? by PPH · · Score: 1

    How can you end up face down in the gutter if 'down' is no longer well defined?

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  20. Liquor is Haraam! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Liquor is Haraam! Drinking it is the path to hell!

    1. Re:Liquor is Haraam! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At least in hell they don't serve red wine cold.

  21. Re:Oh wow by rubycodez · · Score: 1

    said the ignorant dim-witted troll in a room full of devices brought about by the space age.

  22. Re:Oh wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Name one device that was brought about by the space age? Everything the space age used existed BEFORE. Due to war, commerce and ingenuity. It is YOU who ignorant of the reality of the history of technology, and it is YOU who is too dimwitted to use the very same technology to EDUCATE YOURSELF.

    One of the BIGGEST LIES of the Space Nutter brigade is that tired old cliché !

    Let's look at my room. Besides all the plastics and synthetic fabrics that were given to us by OIL and discovered mostly in the 1930s and 1940s... OK, so space had nothing to do with that. Food? Surely you're joking. Again, it's OIL that gives us the abundant food we have today.

    Hmm. My TV? You mean the thing that was aleady being shaped in the 1920s waaaay before even jet engines? Nope, not space either...

    My furniture? The walls? My books? You're joking, right?

    My radio? You mean the thing that already existed in mass quantities by the 1930s based on vacuum tubes? What did that have to do with space?

    My kitchen stove? Fridge? Cutlery? Pots and pans? You're fucking kidding me.

    My computer? Um, half the world was alerady computerized by the time Apollo started. Let me guess, you honestly believe, fervently and honestly, that NASA invented the computer, right? That's what this is all about?

    So you're a pig ignorant buffoon blissfully unaware of the history of technology. A real Space Nutter. I knew that aleady but hopefully more people can see you now for the total fool you are.

    Space happened because we ALREADY *HAD* the technology to do it, not the other way around, I'm afraid. But reality and Space Nutters are mutual enemies.

    You completely ignore the rich reality of the history of technology, and manage to push aside and insult the thousands of people who actually invented the things you claim! NOT SPACE! Idiot!!!!!!!!!

  23. Re:Oh wow by rubycodez · · Score: 1

    ", ranted the unteachable cretin troll, the dozen communicating neurons firing in his microcephalic skull, completely oblivious to the history of integrated electronics, ignoring the smoke detector, ignoring the alkaline batteries, etc.

  24. Re:Oh wow by Hylandr · · Score: 1

    That's fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. As long as you hold that view you're one less person we have to plan for when the research acquired while going in circles yields dividends around other planets we orbit in circles, just as our planet goes in circles around our sun, as the Moon goes in circles around the planet.

    There is one Curious parallel that epitomizes the stereotypical duality of your post however. You strike me as the type of Anti - Space, lets focus on earth Nascar lover. Worshiping painted tin cans on rubber wheels going in circles as fast as they can. I have sad news for you, our little tin cans go *way* faster, and our track is so big we have to race 100 miles above the surface of Earth. our track time is about 90 minutes, but we cover the circumference of the earth in less time than it takes a Nascar race to complete.

    You can keep your silly little toys.

    - Dan.

    --
    ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
  25. fantashhtic newsh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'rmm schtrapped in and rruddy forr blashdtoff!

  26. This is exactly why I don't mourn manned spaceflig by GargamelSpaceman · · Score: 1

    WHO THE FSCK CARES!

    What a waste of time and money.

    --
    ...
  27. Re:Oh wow by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 1

    ...in a room full of devices brought about by the space age.

    Spin-offs are a lousy argument for putting humans into space. If you want neat devices for use here on Earth, give money to creative and smart people to develop those; don't give them money to create neat devices to use in orbit and then see if some of them can be adapted for use on Earth.

    I think there are very good reasons to put machines into deep space, and possibly good ones to put humans into cis-lunar space. But the spin-off argument isn't one of them.

    --
    Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
    You cannot wash away blood with blood
  28. Red Wine and Resveratrol by Med-trump · · Score: 1

    The contribution of resveratrol to the apparent beneficial effect of red wine is likely to be small. Red contains a ton of antioxidants and resveratrol is only one of them. In addition, the pharmacological dose administered to the animals is several hundred fold more than what we consume in red wine. Resveratrol is rapidly metabolized and therefore there is no additive effect either. It is strange that despite a large volume of literature on the potential of resveratrol in treating several diseases, human trails have been few!

  29. Red Wine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How the fuck does it work?!!!?