Red wine compound resveratrol may be used to treat prostate cancer, reported The Vineyard Wine Bar Orlando based on a research conducted by University of Missouri.

The study revealed that besides preventing strokes and aiding in other cardiovascular related health problems, resveratrol had the qualities to combat cancer.

Scientists introduced resveratrol into cancerous prostate cells and found that 97% of them died, a higher percentage than radiation treatment.

University of Missouri school of medicine surgical oncology assistant professor Michael Nicholl said that upon exposing the tumor cells to the compound, they were more susceptible to radiation treatment.

"Other studies have noted that resveratrol made tumor cells more susceptible to chemotherapy, and we wanted to see if it had the same effect for radiation therapy," Nicholl added.

The study also found that occurrence of perforin and granzyme B proteins in prostate cancer cells allowed resveratrol to increase its activity and kill the cells.

Resveratrol is not only present in grape skins and red wine but is also sold as a supplement in grocery stores, drug stores and health food stores.

However, its mode of consumption and dosage quantity cannot be matched with wine drinking and will cause side effects to the user.