Your Christmas tipple – provided it is wine – may be the key to boosting your omega-3 fatty acid count. This European study examined the dietary habits of participants in three areas – London, England; Limburg, Belgium; and Abruzzo, Italy – and reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that it appears that wine helps 'boost' the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood.

According to the scientists who undertook the examinations, those people who drank moderately had higher levels of the fatty acid in their blood, independent of how much fish they ate! Red wine was reportedly the best with regard to omega-3, although beers and spirits had the same effect, to a lesser extent.

These findings prove to be key to figuring out why light alcohol consumption is linked to heart health. Romina di Giuseppe, leader of the study, from the Research Laboratories at Catholic University of Campobasso, said "Several studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption, including wine, is associated with protection against coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke."

Preliminary conclusions put this effect down to the polyphenols present in wine, which due to their strong antioxidant activity reduce oxidation. Michelin de Lorgeril from the University of Grenoble, who was also involved in the research entitled the IMMIDIET study, emphasised the importance of the findings: "We consider these data to be a major finding opening a new window in the field of cardiovascular prevention. Beyond the alcohol issue, our results raise crucial questions regarding the effects of polyphenols on lipids (both in blood and cell membranes) and possibly of lipids on polyphenols".