Seeing red - how a Cheval Blanc could improve eyesight
Quaffing at a generous glass of Cheval Blanc or Vosne Romanee is not just a treat for your palate - scientists believe that red wine may also be good for your eyesight.
The naturally-occurring resveratrol chemical is found in abundance in grape skin and has been shown by scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine to inhibit blood vessel growth, that is associated with a range of eye conditions.
Cancers, atherosclerosis and other eye diseases have all been associated with new blood vessel formation, with researchers confident that the novel pathway of resveratrol into the body has "tremendous implications" for understanding preventive measures.
Red wine is likely to contain more of the chemical than other food stuffs, such as blueberries and peanuts, because it is found in higher proportions in grapes.
The health benefits of a carafe of Haut Brion do not stop at the eye, either.
Research published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology journal earlier this month suggested that polyphenols in red wine could help to slow the progression of prostate cancer.