Long-Term Consumption of Red Wine Does Not Modify Intestinal Absorption or Status of Zinc and Copper in Rats

Red wines contain many components such as polyphenols and ethanol that may influence mineral absorption. We report on studies in a rat model that were designed to investigate the extent to which short- and long-term intake of red wine or ethanol may influence 67Zn and 65Cu absorption in rats. Rats (n = 96) were divided into three groups, a control group that received demineralized water, a group that received red wine diluted with water (v/v) and an ethanol group that received 6% ethanol. Half of each group was used for the short-term study; the others were used for the long-term study. After 3 d (short-term study) or 28 d (long-term study) of beverage consumption, the rats were gavaged with 2 mL of solution containing 2027 nmol 67Zn and 902 nmol 65Cu. Subsequently, 3-d urinary and fecal collections were performed and analyzed for total and isotopic Zn and Cu. In the long-term study, blood, tibia and liver were also sampled for mineral status assessment. Neither short- nor long-term intake of red wine altered 67Zn or 65Cu absorption. In contrast, long-term (but not short-term) ethanol consumption significantly increased both 67Zn and 65Cu absorption compared with the control and red wine groups. The long-term consumption of ethanol or red wine did not affect blood or tissue Zn or Cu levels. In conclusion, short- or long-term consumption of red wine did not have a negative effect on intestinal absorption or tissue levels of zinc and Cu in rats.