Red Wine = Healthy Heart? Maybe, Maybe Not

We were all encouraged when research studies showed positive health impacts from moderate consumption of red wine. Unfortunately, some of the foundational research in this area has been found to be false.

For years Mr. Dipak Das was at the forefront of research into the healthy aspects of red wine. Over a period of seven years, Dr. Das conducted multiple studies on heart health and resveratrol, a compound found in red wine. The National Institutes of Health funded most of his work at the University of Connecticut medical school in Farmington. Numerous producers of nutritional supplements created resveratrol pills based on Dr. Das's research results. Countless red wine aficionados referenced his work as they poured their next glass of wine.

The University of Connecticut has completed an exhaustive three year examination of Dr. Das's research methods and conclusions and determined that some of the data was falsified. Particular attention was paid to research results derived from a gadget called a "Western blot." It is now believed that Dr. Das "adjusted" readings from this device in a way that made his research results more consistent. He is also believed to have improperly combined results from separate studies to arrive at results that are not supported by the data if kept separate.

What does this mean? Dr. Das is being dismissed, of course. All active and planned research in his portfolio is suspended and research grants have been returned. All of his conclusions are cast into doubt. However, there are numerous other research studies conducted by other scientists on various positive health benefits of red wine. These areas include obesity, cancer, aging and diabetes. There is no reason to believe that these other researchers falsified their data.

Other studies have shown that red wine can improve your memory, control your body mass index, improve your resistance to infection and strengthen your bones. So don't despair, pour yourself a nice glass of merlot and congratulate yourself for never falsifying government-funded research!