Over the years there has been both negative and positive findings for the effects of drinking wine on the body. To be honest, most people are aware of the negative effects of drinking wine and are pretty happy when something positive is found. For example, when it was proven that drinking the odd glass of red wine thinned the blood and reduced the risk of heart attack, you could practically here the corks popping around the country. Now there maybe another reason to dust of the glassware as scientists have found that wine actually aids digestive function.

A two month long study that took place in Manchester, England looked at the effects that giving people a glass of wine each evening had on digestion.The main finding from the study was that digestive transit was improved and there was less reported digestive discomfort from the participants who consumed a glass of wine in the evening each day. Red wine came out the winner, but the other types also had a positive effect when drunk in moderation. Unfortunately, champagne did not seem to help digestion so you can put those champagne glasses away again for the time being. Further more, you will have to limit your wine consumption as the report showed any more than 1 glass per day had a negative effect on digestion.

The suggestion has been made by those who conducted the research that although wine will dehydrate the body if you drink enough of it, small amounts relax digestive muscles and help to regulate their peristaltic contractions. This means that food can pass through the body easier and nutrients are absorbed more effectively. It is also worth taking into account that this study was conducted over a reasonably small space of time and there is no telling what the effect would be on the long term. The overruling advice seems to be that you can enjoy the odd glass of wine without too much issue and it may even be good for you, but if you start feeling unwell or find youself drinking your wine out of glass vases then you may need to see a doctor