Boston University School of Medicine and WineHealth13 conference in Sydney reveal why wine improves health 60'S couple Graham Lough and Valarie Davey enjoying a glass of wine at their Hawthorndene home. Red wine is good for you, especially the older generation as it keeps demetia and there is a lower risk of mortality. 10 Health Benefits of Moderate Drinking Lower rates of heart disease Light to moderate drinkers have lower rates of cardiovascular and associated diseases compared to abstainers or heavy drinkers. The reduced risk is particularly evident with moderate red wine consumption, a key factor being a constituent called resveratrol, one of many phenolic compounds in wine that have shown beneficial effects on vascular function. Alcohol itself in light to moderate amounts also shows considerable protection against heart disease. The combination of both alcohol and polyphenols in red wine is a strong risk reducer. Decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases A large clinical trial of high-risk of cardiovascular disease Spaniards shows that a so called Mediterranean diet with large amounts of extra virgin olive oils and including more than seven glasses of wine (in the week of the trial) showed about 30 per cent decrease in risk. This study supports a very large amount of scientific data that shows a Mediterranean type diet that doesn't restrict calories but encourages an intake of selected fats, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and wine may be the most effective dietary method to help in the reduction of cardiovascular disease. Keeps you alive longer In an extensive analysis of 18 previous studies (using data on more than 48,000 cancer deaths) of the relationship between all-cancer mortality and alcohol, a forum of leading scientists demonstrated that light drinkers showed statistically 9 per cent lower risk of dying, moderate drinkers showed no effects, and heavier drinkers showed a 32 per cent increased risk of all cancer mortality. Could stave off demntia Regular light to moderate alcohol intake is associated in scientific data with lower risk of neurological disease and disfunction, including a lower risk of dementia, while heavy drinking is associated with a higher risk. The reasons are not well enough defined however to recommend light to moderate drinking to reduce the risks. Lessens risk of stroke A US study of nurses, which supported previous international findings, has shown a reduction in the risk of stroke among light to moderate drinkers in comparison to non-drinkers and heavy drinkers. The risks increased however after a daily intake of about three standard drinks. Decreases the risk of developing diabetes A population based longitudinal study in Norway showed subjects reporting moderate alcohol consumption have a lower risk of developing Type II diabetes and a tendency for less auto-immune diabetes. The lowest risk was among people who consumed alcohol 5-10 times during the previous fortnight, or about one drink (using 12g/alc as a measure of a typical drink) per day. The study supports most previous research, and the strongest protective effects were related to wine rather than beer or spirits. Beefs up your bones Current scientific data shows that bone mineral density and risk of fractures are favourably affected by light to moderate drinking but adversely affected by heavy drinking and alcoholism. Moderate intake also has been shown to have beneficial effects on factors relating to osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Helps stop rheumatoid arthritis A large follow-up study of Swedish women found moderate consumption (in this case at least four drinks a week) had a 37 per cent lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a serious and disabling type of arthritis. The study supports previous research. S ends you to sleep quicker Experts in the science of sleep have found that small amounts of alcohol in the evening shorten the time taken to fall asleep and improve patterns in the first part of the night. Larger amounts tend to quicken the onset of sleep but may have some adverse effects on sleep patterns with a shorter duration of REM sleep throughout the night. Lowers the risk of some cancers A large study in the UK revealed key findings that moderate alcohol consumption appeared to lower the risk of several types of lymphoma and plasma cell neoplasms, but had little effect on the risk of myeloid tumors such as acute myeloid leukaemia. In peer reviewing the findings, international scientists also noted the big differences in effects of smoking (an increase) and alcohol consumption (a decrease) on the risk of these cancers. Findings have been collated from years of peer-reviewed research gathered and published by the Boston University School of Medicine, as well as similar papers and presentations at the WineHealth13 conference this week in Sydney, a scientific conference held as part of an international series since 1996 looking at research into the relationship between wine and alcohol consumption and health.