You may have heard in passing that a glass of wine a day is “good for you.” The use of wine in medicine dates as far back as the ancient Greeks, who understood wine’s properties as an antiseptic and anaesthetic despite their lack of hard scientific data. For nearly two decades now, modern researchers have been testing whether wine does indeed impart some health benefits…and thus far, the research seems to offer great news for wine drinkers.

Red wine, in particular, has been shown to be a positive force against heart disease, ulcers, the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and other maladies. The key ingredient is a compound known as resveratrol, a flavonoid found in the skins of red wine grapes. Resveratrol works within the body to reduce “bad cholesterol,” also known as LDL, while promoting “good cholesterol,” HDL. The results—fewer incidents of heart disease caused by clogged arteries, as well as fewer incidents of stroke.  In addition, the antioxidant properties of wine have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, although many scientists currently agree that the powers of antioxidants have been overstated somewhat.

One thing all of these researchers agree upon is that moderation is the most important element when it comes to enjoying the possible health benefits of that fine merlot or syrah. One or two glasses of red wine a day may do your body good, but more than that causes you to run the risk of even more dire health problems, such as obesity and liver disease. Just remember: it’s always possible to have too much of a good thing.

Although most wine marketing will focus on the taste and mystique of the bottles, you can be sure that wineries are only too happy to spread the information far and wide that red wine is not just delightful, but also medicinal. It’s certainly a comforting thought that red wine might keep you alive and healthy even longer…giving you more time to try out other wines, of course!