You are using an older browser version. Please use a supported version for the best MSN experience.New research into how wine can affect us has revealed that drinking up to six alcoholic drinks a week will not increase your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. The study, from Harvard University, contradicts tough new drinking guidelines from chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, who recently said drinking "any level of alcohol regularly carries a health risk." The Harvard researchers found that while drinking alcohol is linked with a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, the danger wears off after 24 hour for people who only drink a glass or two. After the 24 hours have passed, the moderate alcohol intake can improve blood flow, blood vessels' lining function and reduce clotting. Dr Elizabeth Mostofsky, of Harvard University, said: "Just after drinking, blood pressure rises and blood platelets become stickier, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

"However, regularly drinking small amounts of alcohol in the long term appears to both increase levels of HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), the so-called good cholesterol, and reduce blood clots. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation."lg smart wine singapore This study comes not long after research from Washington State University found that an ingredient in red wine, called 'resveratrol', could help turn flab into calorie-burning 'brown' fat.best wine bar bank With experts divided on whether or not alcohol can be considered healthy, we take a closer look at the arguments for and against regular consumption of wine.wine bar la risacca atrani As well as the recent study from Washington State University, in 2012 researchers in Korea found that another compound found in red grapes called 'piceatannol' has the ability to block the processes that cause fat cells to grow.wine by the case free delivery

Additionally, a 2014 study from the University of Hohenheim in Germany found that people who are looking to lose weight may find it easier by drinking white wine. A diet with 10 per cent energy of energy coming from white wine was found to be just as effective in weight loss as a diet with 10 per cent of energy coming from fruit juices.the best red wine under 20$ Scientists have revealed that 'resveratrol' may also help to prevent head and neck cancer. where to buy brewers yeast for wineResearchers found that the compound has the potential to kill the damaged cells that can lead to certain cancers. The best red wines to drink in spring If you have a bed bug problem, drinking a glass of red wine before bed could be the solution. Research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, found that bed bugs prefer blood that isn't tainted by alcohol.

Using rats, researchers at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine found that reseveratrol helped prevent age-related memory decline. Once the rats who had been treated with resveratrol were two years old, they had improved learning, memory and mood function. Help you live longer Scientists have found that resveratrol suppresses molecules that cause inflammation and compounds in the blood which interfere with the production of insulin, thus helping us to live longer and healthier lives. The researchers, from the University of Buffalo, also found resveratrol reduced the development of type 2 diabetes and strokes. • Browse our range of over 400 reds at Telegraph Wine from Waitrose Though resveratrol does help to slow down the ageing process, if taken in high doses it can have the opposite effect. Researchers at the Manchester Metropolitan University said: "We analysed if resveratrol was able to promote the repair of muscle and reduce oxidative stress where free radicals - destructive molecules - speed up the ageing process.

"At low doses, resveratrol did help the regeneration. However, if the dose is higher, it doesn't mitigate ageing from oxidative stress and even hampers the repair cycle." Increase the chance of certain cancers Despite some research suggesting that drinking red wine could prevent certain cancers, a study published in Alcohol and Alcoholism found that drinking wine could increase the risk for breast cancer. Scientists have warned that to experience the potential health benefits of resveratrol, you would need to drink an entire case of red wine each day, which could lead to alcoholism. Research has suggested that too much white wine could lead to weight gain as the calories pile up without actually making you feel full. Drink Aware warn that "calories from alcohol are 'empty calories' and have no nutritional value. Most alcoholic drinks contain traces of vitamins and minerals, but not usually in amounts that make any significant contribution to our diet." As well not contributing to our overall health, research has found that alcohol could be contributing to weight gain.

Drink Aware says "alcohol reduces the amount of fat your body burns for energy. While we can store nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, and fat in our bodies, we can't store alcohol.Our award-winning wine writers, Victoria Moore and Susy Atkins, unveil the richest reds for you to sip this Christmas. Red wines under £10 Côtes du Rhône Villages 2015, France Boasting a cerulean blue and scarlet label that’s strangely similar to another popular Côtes du Rhône you may know, this is my new favourite sub-£5 red. It does really well for the price, evocative of stewed plums and the gently stony taste that is so typical of wines from this part of France.  Orbitali Squinzano 2012, Italy If you have never heard of Squinzano, a DOC in Puglia in Italy’s heel, you’re in good company; neither had I until I tasted this red. The wine is made from 90 per cent negroamaro and 10 per cent sangiovese and is reminiscent of a rich valpolicella – it has a spicy oak taste, is slightly sweet-sour, and tastes of both fresh and dried fruit at once. 

Ulmen Carmenere-Merlot 2016, Central Valley, Chile Here’s a juicy, vivacious red: a duet of grapes that delivers an appealing cassis and blackberry compote. Just fine on its own, or pair with pork belly  or roast squash dishes. (13.5%, Marks & Spencer, £7) Villa Vincini Il Gran Rosso 2014, Veneto, Italy A really useful red and a bargain. Red berries, especially raspberry, shine out in a medium-bodied style that will complement a wide range of savoury party food. ♦ STAR BUY ♦ Les Hauts de Saint-Martin St Chinian 2014, France There’s plenty of personality in this southern French blend of syrah, grenache, carignan and mourvèdre, which is made by the Cave de Roquebrun (you might already know and love the cuvée it makes for Majestic). Redolent of garrigue herbs (thyme, bay and rosemary) – and the crackle of roasting chestnuts.  Vetriano Sangiovese di Puglia 2015, Italy Sangiovese is of course the main chianti grape but this modern-styled sangiovese from Italy’s heel has none of chianti’s dustiness.

It’s bright and juicy, and tastes of ripe cherries. It’s soft enough to use as a party wine but refreshing too, with a real bounce in its step.  (Haynes, Hanson & Clark, £7) Château Tour des Gendres Bergerac Rouge 2015, France A red that has something for everyone. A blend of merlot and malbec, made not too far from Bordeaux – you can think of it as a rustic claret but with extra oomph, or as a black-fruited malbec that combines structure with approachability. Sunny and warm, with hints of clove, fine tannins and deep black berries mingling with earth.  (13.5%, The Wine Society, £7.95) Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2014, France Sometimes there’s nothing cosier than a sweetly ripe red from the southern Rhône. The Perrin style is always reminiscent of deep crimson crushed velvet; even and sumptuous, with a taste of red berries. This one’s been aged in oak so it’s slightly spicy, too.  ♦ STAR BUY ♦ Domaine Clavel Le Mas 2015, Languedoc, France

A gorgeously atmospheric southern French blend of carignan, grenache and syrah that smells of dried herbs sun-baked earth, dried figs and damsons. There’s no oak here – ageing is in concrete. A wine to cosy up with. Haynes, Hanson & Clark, £9.45; Clos de los Siete 2013, Mendoza, Argentina One of my favourite reds for a fine Christmas feast, made with four varieties, including malbec by Argentina’s renowned winemaker Michel Rolland. Smooth and rich with ripe black cherries, it’s terrific with goose, duck or steak. (14.5 %, Sainsbury’s, £15 down to £13.50 from Wednesday 14 December until 1 January) Les Closiers Lirac 2015, France Lirac is next door to Châteauneuf du Pape, right down in the southern Rhône close to Avignon. This red is a beautiful supermarket find: a rich but also herbal blend of grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault that tastes of dark fruits.  (14%, Marks & Spencer, £10.50) L&S Bordeaux 2014, France I know how well Charles Lea knows Bordeaux because I’ve been the beneficiary of his deep fund of wisdom on countless trips there to taste the wines en primeur, so it’s no surprise that his own-label claret is a cracker.

Juicy and approachable, it’s made from 80 per cent merlot with a little cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon to add a redcurrant leaf and blackcurrant scent.  (14%, Lea & Sandeman, £10.95 or £9.95 as part of a mixed case) ♦ STAR BUY ♦ Château les Reuilles Bordeaux Supérieur 2014, France A wine from a family-owned château in the south east of the Bordeaux region that makes you smile the moment you stick your nose in the glass. “VG Bordeaux nose” was my first note. There’s a lovely elderberry scent, and the 15 per cent wallop of cabernet franc brings a glorious perfume and uplift. Haynes, Hanson & Clark, £9.10; Berry Bros & Rudd Argentinian Malbec by Pulenta Estate 2015, Argentina Such a lovely generous wine, seriously juicy, all blueberries, damsons, brambles and violets with a big sweep of perfume that wraps you up as cosily as a cashmere scarf. I used this malbec in the Telegraph’s new World of Wine video series – and it went down handsomely with the crew. 

(14.5%, Berry Bros & Rudd, £11.95) Skillogalee Shiraz 2013, Australia A beautiful basket-pressed shiraz that is lusciously reminiscent of mulberries so ripe they drench you with juice. It’s been aged in both French and American oak and is deliciously spicy and textured. Think about this one if you like big wines on Christmas Day.  Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana 2013, Italy This rich and spicy Tuscan red wine has a very Christmassy feel. It’s based on sangiovese (which makes up 55 per cent of the blend) and also contains cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. A really successful collaboration between the very Italian sour cherry-ness of the sangiovese and the structure and flesh of the bordeaux grapes. (13.5%, Telegraph Wine from Waitrose, £15) Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Crianza 2012, Spain This succulent tempranillo from Ribera del Duero tastes of autumnal red fruits and leaves, mace, mocha, vanilla (but only a bit of vanilla) and a dash of Lea & Perrins.

Aged in French oak, it is a buoyant big hug of a wine. Buy it now and use it to cheer up a cottage pie, or have it with a slow-roast shoulder of lamb. Majestic £16.99 or £14.99 on mix six deal; Berry Bros & Rudd, £19.50) Warwick Estate Trilogy 2012, South Africa If you like your wines big and saturated with flavour then you will love Warwick Estate’s trilogy, made from the three main red bordeaux grapes. The 30 per cent of cabernet franc gives the wine a succulent feel. Fareham Wine Cellar, £19.50; SH Jones in Banbury and Leamington Spa, £18.15; Seresin Estate Rachel Pinot Noir 2012,  Marlborough, New Zealand Deep in sauvignon blanc territory in Marlborough, the biodynamic estate of film-maker Michael Seresin specialises in pinot noir. This smells of baked raspberries and dried cranberries (it would be an absolute winner with turkey and the trimmings) and so much more besides.  (13.5%, Booths, Planet of the Grapes, £28) Château Haut-Corbin St Emilion Grand Cru 2010, Bordeaux, France