Polyphenolics and fat absorption.

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate whether the acute consumption of red wine polyphenolic compounds regulates lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in dyslipidemic postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

Eight dyslipidemic postmenopausal women each consumed a mixed meal accompanied by either water, dealcoholized red wine or alcoholic red wine on three separate visits, in a random order, 2 weeks apart. One fasting and six hourly postmeal blood samples were taken and analyzed for plasma apolipoprotein B48 (apoB48; specific marker of chylomicrons (CM) and their remnants (CMR)); total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol; triglycerides (TAG); insulin and glucose at each time point.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in postprandial apoB48 levels after alcoholic and nonalcoholic red wine consumption compared to water.

CONCLUSION

Red wine attenuates postprandial CM and CMR levels in plasma, possibly by delaying the absorption of dietary fat, as suggested by a decrease in plasma apoB48 levels. The reduction of postprandial lipoproteins in circulation after red wine consumption may partly explain the low cardiovascular mortality rates among the French.