Apart from its well-earned placement on the mantle of the finer things in life (in moderation, of course), the enjoyment of a nice glass of wine has been linked to an impressive roster of positive health benefits. Research into red wine consumption has drawn extensive association with improved cardiovascular health, and additional studies have drawn links to good oral hygiene and even to weight loss. Recent activity has focused on resveratrol, a compound contained in the skins of the grape, which end up in the wine itself, which may offer boosts in longevity and to prevention of cancer.
It would seem then that the occasional tipple of vino would be a smart thing to do. As it turns out, thanks to science, this too may be confirmed: as indicated by a EurekAlert press release, an international team has found that moderate wine drinking is associated with improved cognitive function.
Researchers from the US, New Zealand, Australia, England and Denmark amassed a large study population of more than 5,000 men and women who were subjected to tests of cognitive function over a period of seven years. What they found was that, especially among women in the study group, very low to zero wine consumption was associated with lower scores in brain function test performance compared to the moderate drinkers who consumed alcohol four or more times during a two week period.
As EurekAlert explains, the findings fall neatly in line with previous studies — more than 60 to date — that explore the link between alcohol intake and cognitive function, which in sum find an overall benefit. Findings so far suggest that such protective mechanisms that relate to hardening of the arteries, thinning of the blood and reduction in inflammation may be at play in explaining the apparent benefit to how sharp the gray matter stays.
Photo by Quinn Dombrowski via Wikimedia Commons.