Chemical in red wine may prevent eye disease

LOS ANGELES Researchers have found that resveratrol, a compound present in red wine, grapes and other foods, inhibits the growth of new blood vessels that occur with eye diseases, particularly in older patients, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. It's a process called angiogenesis.

Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis studied the effects of resveratrol in mice suffering from angiogenesis. They found that resveratrol not only prevented the formation of new blood vessels but also eradicated existing buildups.

Resveratrol has been found to decrease the effects of aging and fight cancer. Experts say resveratrol should be taken in pill form to have high enough concentrations of the compound to be beneficial.

The study appears in the July issue of the "American journal of pathology."