A glass of red wine a day could keep polycystic ovaries at bay

It's already been linked to preventing cancer, protecting against heart problems and improving brain function. 

Now scientists say a glass of red wine a day could prevent women from developing a common condition that can stop them having children.

The latest research suggests a natural compound found in red wine, called resveratrol, may help to address the hormone imbalance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility, thought to affect around one in 10 women worldwide.

It is the most common endocrine condition in women of childbearing age and is found in those who produce higher amounts of testosterone and androgen than average.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families. 

The elevated levels contribute to irregular or absent menstrual periods as well as weight gain, infertility and excess hair as well as increasing the risk of developing other health problems such as diabetes.

Nut scientists believe the natural plant compound, also found in nuts and grapes, has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce a woman's chances of developing it.

Study senior author Dr Antoni Duleba, of the University of California, said: 'Our study is the first clinical trial to find resveratrol significantly lowers PCOS patients' levels of testosterone as well as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), another hormone that the body can convert into testosterone.

'This nutritional supplement can help moderate the hormone imbalance that is one of the central features of PCOS.'

In the study, 30 women with polycystic ovaries completed a randomised trial at the University of Poznan in Poland where they were either given a resveratrol supplement or a placebo pill.

The participants, who took the pills daily for three months, gave blood samples at the beginning and end of the study to determine the level of testosterone and androgen.

They were also given an oral glucose tolerance test to measure the risk of diabetes.

Women who took the resveratrol supplement saw testosterone levels fall by 23.1 and DHEAS by 22.2 per cent while the placebo group's testosterone levels increased 2.9 per cent and DHEAS increased by 10.5 per cent.

The participants taking the supplement pill also saw a reduction in the risk of diabetes as fasting insulin levels dropped by 31.8 per cent and they became more responsive to the insulin hormone.

Dr Duleba said: 'The findings suggest resveratrol can improve the body's ability to use insulin and potentially lower the risk of developing diabetes.

'The supplement may be able to help reduce the risk of metabolic problems common in women with PCOS.'

The findings were published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

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