Here’s another reason to have that glass of Methodé Cap Classique and/or that bottle of Shiraz.

This isn’t the first time, of course, that we’ve heard wine is good for you (we concur, we concur!), but the latest study published in Wine Safety, Consumer Preference and Human Health has some pretty compelling arguments for moderate drinking for good health.

In a chapter titled called Neuroprotective Effects Associated with Wine and Its Phenolic Constituents, there are over 95 published studies championing wine's ability to help protect against cognitive impairment and disease.

Red wines and Champagne (aka MCC) come up trumps and have shown to help slow down brain aging and improve memory as well as to protect against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and dementia.

What’s the magic ingredient? It’s apparently the high concentration of flavonoids, resveratrol and other polyphenolic compounds typically found in wine. Polyphenol rich foods like fruit, cocoa and green tea, are also good, but what makes wine the most effective is it’s the interaction of the polyphenolics with the other compounds that makes it so powerful.

Then why champagne? Most Champagnes generally use Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier grapes, which both contain higher levels of phenolic compounds than white wines.

The only question is; red or bubbly?