New research indicates that moderate consumption of red wine may aid in rinsing the teeth of bacteria during and after meals.  The research, conducted by Professor Gabriella Gazanni of Pavia University in Italy, is to appear in the journal Food Chemistry and adds still another possible benefit to responsible wine consumption.  The study, interestingly enough, was conducted with non-alcoholic red wine.

The red wine was purchased from the Veneto region, in northeast Italy and the alcohol removed using a technique called vacuum concentration.  Researchers cultured Streptococcus mutans, a common bacteria that feeds on sugars in food and contributes toward tooth enamel demineralization, which can contribute toward the formation of cavities.  In the lab, the researchers added red wine to a mixture of bacteria, saliva and saliva coated pulled teeth and noted that the S. mutans was unable to cling to the teeth and saliva.  It's believed that proanthocyanidins, a naturally occurring flavinoid with antioxidate properties also found in apples, cinanamon, cocoa and teas, are the active components protecting the teeth.