So is this the news we were all waiting for? The suggestion that drinking prosecco is good for us has resurfaced on social media just in time for the Christmas party season. But is it true?

Well, it actually crops up fairly regularly

Quite a few studies have looked at the potential health benefits of a moderate amount of champagne/prosecco/cava – though not recently.

It appears the seasonal tradition for having sparkling alcoholic drinks has sparked renewed interest.

The suggestion is that these drinks can help your heart and circulation by improving the way blood vessels work, because they contain polyphenols, which are plant chemicals from red and white grapes. These increase the availability of nitric oxide which controls blood pressure.

There have also been a number of stories about a polyphenol called reservatrol found in red wine – but in 2014 those claims were said to be “overhyped”.

Photo by https://www.instagram.com/enrico.onthewine/

What do the experts say?

NHS Choices – which looks into medical research reports – and the British Heart Foundation have both examined the benefits of polyphenols.

They do not dismiss their potential benefits, but point out that they are also present in the healthier option of a wide range of other foods which are all better for the liver.

A BHF spokeswoman said: “Polyphenols are antioxidant type substances which are in a range of food and drink, including some of our favourite festive treats like wine and chocolate.

“A better bet for eating well for your heart is to go for healthier sources of polyphenols like fruits and vegetables which come with all of the benefits and without the downsides to your blood pressure and waistline that drinking too much alcohol and eating too much chocolate can have.”

Original article published on BBC News