Champagne Is Heart Healthy, Horray

photo by anders adermark

Just in time for the holidays, the British Journal of Medicine is reporting that two glasses of Champagne a day is good for your heart. Yep, you heard that right: Sparkly booze = heart healthy.

According to researchers at the University of Reading across the pond, Champagne can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The polyphenols (powerful chemicals found in grapes) in Champagne increase the availabiltiy of nitric oxide in the blood. The result: Nitric oxide has more time to act on the blood vessels and improve blood flow. Nitric oxide controls blood pressure, and high levels of the molecule can increase blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduce the changes of blood clots. Still, the researchers say long-term research is needed.

With all of that said, the research won’t affect the amount of bubbly I swig nightly. I’d love to drink two glasses a night, but come on! I’m not made of money. Still, it’s good to know my special occasion drink might have some health benefits, too.

Does this give you the go-ahead to splurge this New Year—or every night? And while we’re talking about nightly drinking … do you have a glass of wine nightly? Though I know it’s heart healthly, I don’t.