Other health benefits

Alcohol is always a source of controversy within the scientific community; with every study suggesting its amazing health properties, there’s another recommending abstinence. Moderate wine drinking that doesn’t go against medical advice and is within recommended guidelines could potentially offer these benefits, according to research.

■ Better gut health –

A study from King’s College London found people who drank red wine had increased diversity in their gut microbiome, as well as lower levels of obesity and ‘bad’ cholesterol. The study was carried out on twins, and didn’t find the same benefits in drinkers of white wine, beer or spirits. It’s thought to be due to polyphenols (chemicals naturally present in many types of fruit and veg) which have beneficial properties and act as a kind of fuel for the microbes in our system. ■ Brain boost –

Low levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to reduce inflammation and help the brain clear toxins,

including those associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to research. Low-to-moderate alcohol intake is associated with a lower risk of dementia, but heavy drinking for years is linked to increased cognitive decline.

■ Heart help – Lots of research points to red wine’s benefit on heart health. One study, from Yale University, suggests two to three glasses of red wine daily helps cardiovascular health, probably due to the anti-oxidant qualities of polyphenols. But this is more than the NHS recommended daily amount of alcohol and it’s worth noting that polyphenols can also be found in green tea, berries and dark chocolate.