A recent study conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York shows the possibility that polyphenols derived from red wine could treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Lab tests on rats showed that red wine polyphenols broke down amyloid-beta plaques which obstruct brain pathways in Alzheimer’s.

While this is seemingly good news for red wine drinkers the world over, a few issues make it necessary to continue research before a therapy can be developed for people with the disease. In testing on rodents, a red-wine-based supplement was metabolized by the body without benefit so a synthetic polyphenol needs to be created that can easily travel to the brain. Researchers also discovered that not all red wine grapes are created equal. Grapes from different regions may have compounds with varying structures.

Just in case, I think I’ll have an extra glass of red wine with dinner.