The researchers induced stress in these human cells to simulate the conditions that usually lead to neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases.

The study revealed that wine-derived metabolites prevent the neurons from dying under these stress conditions.

Surprisingly, the results also showed that these metabolites are active at different points during the cell signaling process that ultimately leads to neuronal death.

According to the researchers, this means that the exact composition of the wine metabolites is crucial for this protective effect. Furthermore, this composition depends, in turn, on the composition of the gut microbiome – that is, the trillions of microorganisms living inside our intestines.

more at Medical News Today