Creina Stockley, from the Australian Wine Research Institute, has shared that drinking wine with a meal could decrease your chance of having a stroke, heart attack and could increase brain longevity.
Speaking to Body and Soul, Creina, a Health and Regulatory Information Manager, also said a glass of red can even improve your memory. But is there a catch?
IMPROVES HEART HEALTH
A health expert has said that drinking red wine can actually benefit your health in the long run. Creina, who is a clinical psychologist with 20 years experience at the institute, said that drinking red wine in moderation has positive benefits.
'People that drink a moderate amount of wine regularly, particularly with food, have a 30 percent reduced risk of heart diseases,' she said.
'Red wine is good for you in moderation – with one to two glasses a day there is a reduced risk of heart disease.
'When you drink more than that, the risk of heart disease increases,' she added.
REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER
Creina shared that red wine can also reduce the risk of a multitude of cancers.
'Alcohol is a risk factor for certain cancers, but we also know wine reduces the risk of other cancers like bowel and lung cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.'
She also said that studies have revealed that red wine can also reduce the risk of aero-digestive tract, lung cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by 20-40 percent and bowel cancer by approximately 20 percent.
'Phenolic compounds [found heavily in red wine] work by preventing the initiation, progression and growth of cancer cells,' Creina explained.
THE ELIXIR OF LIFE
We are often warned that we shouldn't drink alcohol and that over consumption can kill brain cells, but if drunk responsibly it can improve your cognitive function.
'Drinking red wine appears to reduce or prevent the decrease in your ability to think, reason and remember,' Creina explained.
She added that it may also reduce your risk of developing dementia - such as Alzheimer's - although of course moderation is key.
Daily Mail