Champagne Benefits Memory Loss

A new study is in the works to determine if 1 to 3 glasses of champagne a week can help prevent memory loss. According to scientists at the University of Reading, the phenolic compounds found in champagne can improve spatial memory which records information about one’s environment. The phenolic compounds favorably alter a number of proteins linked to effective memory storage. Many of these proteins are known to be depleted with age, making memory storage less efficient, and leading to poorer memory in old age and conditions such as dementia. Champagne slows these loses and therefore may help prevent the cognitive losses that occur during typical and atypical brain aging.

In comparison to white wine, champagne is predominately made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, two red grapes, and Chardonnay, a white grape. It’s this combination of phenolic compounds which are believed to be responsible for the beneficial effects of champagne on the brain.

Professor Jeremy Spencer, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, said:

“These exciting results illustrate for the first time that the moderate consumption of champagne has the potential to influence cognitive functioning, such as memory. Such observations have previously been reported with red wine, through the actions of flavonoids contained within it. However, our research shows that champagne, which lacks flavonoids, is also capable of influencing brain function through the actions of smaller phenolic compounds, previously thought to lack biological activity. We encourage a responsible approach to alcohol consumption, and our results suggest that a very low intake of one to two glasses a week can be effective.”

Dr. David Vauzour, the researcher on the study, added:

“In the near future we will be looking to translate these findings into humans. This has been achieved successfully with other polyphenol-rich foods, such as blueberry and cocoa, and we predict similar outcomes for moderate Champagne intake on cognition in humans.”

Previous research from the University of Reading revealed that two glasses of champagne a day may be good for your heart and circulation and could reduce the risks of suffering from cardiovascular disease and stroke.

The paper is published by Antioxidants and Redox Signalling