Not only fruits with high vitamin C plays a role in strengthening immunity. According to a new study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, red wine and blueberries can also boost the immune system.
The researchers found that both the fruit contains a compound called stilbenoid. The compound, together with vitamin D can increase the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes katelisidin (CAMP), which plays a role in immune function. Stilbenoid compound in red wine called resveratrol, whereas in blueberries called pterostilbene.
Adrian Gombart, chief researcher at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University said, of the hundreds of compounds tested, only two compounds that actually works to increase the immune system.
"The synergy between vitamin D to increase the CAMP gene expression is very significant. This is an interesting interaction," he said this science professor.
Gombart and his team noted, laboratory tests on cell cultures of both compounds showed good results. Nevertheless, it is not necessarily prove that eating blueberries and red wine can improve immune function.
CAMP gene known to play a vital role in the formation of the immune system, the body's main line to fight bacterial infections. This response is crucial because of the weakening increases the effectiveness of many antibiotics due to bacterial resistance.
Previous studies have found a strong association between the consumption of vitamin D with adequate levels of the CAMP gene function. While the new study proves the existence of certain other compounds that come into play.