Grapes and wine may carry an Alzheimer's cure

There is no definitive cure for Alzheimer's disease, but a new body of research is shedding light on ways that people can prevent the condition from developing. Some of the solutions may be surprising. 

A new study found that there may be a special power to grape seed polyphenols, which are primarily found in grape seeds and supplements, but are also present in red wine. This is because this chemical compound counteracts the growth of a harmful peptide linked to the disease, the study found.

"Since naturally occurring polyphenols are also generally commercially available as nutritional supplements and have negligible adverse events even after prolonged periods of treatment, this new finding holds significant promise as a preventive method or treatment, and is being tested in translational studies in Alzheimer's disease patients," said study leader Dr. Giulio Pasinetti.

And who needs an excuse to eat more grapes?

Better yet, the findings echo previous research done into the benefits of red wine on cognition. A 2008 study showed that the polyphenols present in the beverage have the same effect as the grape seed - they fight the formation of plaques that can be harmful to the brain.