Nocino is a typical drink rich in tannins. These molecules that, as already amply demonstrated, play a rather relevant antioxidant function, have for some years been considered "desirable" for human nutrition. However, even in this case there is a "downside". Tannins are in fact responsible for the chelation (chemical bond) of certain nutrients within the human digestive tract, with an inhibiting effect on the absorption itself. However, if the problem were only this? There would be no need to worry too much! Moderating its intake with main meals would be a sufficient precaution to avoid complications. Instead, there is the suspicion that some foods containing tannins may favor the onset of tumors (eg, that of the esophagus). In the bibliography there are many studies, mostly contrasting, which praise or condemn the aforementioned molecules. To clarify the ideas, a good scientific reference could be the 1998 work entitled: "Tannins and human health: a review". As mentioned, the effect of the innumerable molecules grouped under the name of "tannins" depends on: the type of molecule (the isomers themselves could perform different activities) and the dose of intake. In short, it seems that Paracelsus (doctor, alchemist and Swiss astrologer) was right about how he preached: "Omnia venenum sunt: nec sine veneno quicquam existit. Dosis solo facit, ut venenum not fit", or "Everything is poison, and nothing exists without poison: only the dose causes the poison to have no effect ".
