It seems you can get more than just kicks from champagne. In a new study, scientists at the Univ. of Reading have found that drinking one to three glasses of champagne a week may help offset or prevent the memory loss associated with aging. They also found that champagne could help delay the onset of degenerative brain disorders, such as dementia.

The active agents are the phenolic compounds found in champagne. These compounds can improve spatial memory, which is responsible for recording information about one’s environment and storing the information for future use. The compounds work by modulating signals in the hippocampus and cortex while favorably altering a number of proteins linked to the effective storage of memories in the brain.  These proteins are known to be depleted with age, making memory storage less efficient and leading to poorer memory in old age as well as conditions such as dementia. By slowing this depletion, champagne may help prevent the cognitive losses that occur with both typical brain aging and degenerative diseases.

White wine doesn’t carry the same benefits. Champagne has relatively high levels of phenolics compared to white wine because of two red grapes — Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier  — that are used in its production along with the white grape Chardonnay. Red wine has also been shown to have a positive effect on memory because of the flavonoids in it.

Of course, as with anything to do with healthy eating, moderation is always best. You can derive the memory benefits of champagne from just one to three glasses a week and previous research has shown that two glasses of champagne a day may be good for your heart and circulation, reducing the risks of suffering from cardiovascular disease.

You can read the entire article on the health benefits of champagne on the Laboratory Equipment website.

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