Fighting Alzheimer's with Cabernet Sauvignon?

Readers of this blog will know that I champion moderate wine consumption as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. While many of the health benefits of wine are attributable to the ethyl alcohol found in all alcoholic beverages, many additional benefits seem linked to tannic red wines such as cabernet sauvignon.

I was interested to come across a Mount Sinai School of Medicine study recently that links cabernet consumption to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's Disease. Because my beloved great-grandmother suffered from this, I was particularly intrigued. While the study doesn't give conclusive evidence, it does show that mice dosed with cabernet-infused water had distinctly less build-up of the harmful protein that ultimately "clogs" the human brain in Alzheimer's patients. These mice also demonstrated less memory loss than the control group of mice who received only water.  

While many genetic factors contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer's, it's encouraging to know that good diet choices, choices that include red wine in healthy amounts, can help offset risk factors. If you don't already, consider adding a single glass of red wine to your nightly dinner ritual. Your brain may thank you for it!