OF COURSE it does, and it's even better when there is science to back up your favourite Christmas treats. People who drink alcohol moderately have lower rates of heart attack and stroke than either teetotalers or those who drink heavily.
The latest research to back up the benefits of a moderate alcohol intake will be published in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers from the UK, Belgium and Italy have found that moderate amounts of alcohol "triggered" the release of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. These "fish oils" protect us against coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Men who drank two glasses of wine a day and women who partook of one glass had higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies.
Because the three groups of patients studied had different dietary habits, including a different taste in alcohol, the authors said they were able to distinguish between drinkers of beer, wine and spirits. They found all moderate drinkers had higher omega-3 acid levels, but wine drinkers did best.
Researchers for the ongoing Immidiet study, funded by the EU, say the findings point to a component of wine other than alcohol being the beneficial factor. They are putting their money on polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds with a strong antioxidant activity.
Because of this ability, polyphenols are able to reduce the potential damage caused by free radicals in the body.