Wine is a natural sunscreen

The latest cause for popping a cork: it's liquid sunscreen. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have discovered that grapes have the power to protect your skin from UV rays, the cause of sun-related skin cancers, premature aging and temporary burning.

Flavonoids found in wine (particularly Cabernets, Petite Syrahs, and Pinot Noirs) act as shields for cells at risk of breaking down from UV exposure, according to the research.

The next step is developing creams and skincare products that incorporate those damage-fighting flavonoids effectively. I smell a Pinot Grigio skincare line in the works.

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In the meantime, here are even more reasons you should be guzzling wine (in moderation, obviously) according to science:

According to a 7 years study, it makes you smarter. Moderate wine drinking improves cognitive functioning, particularly in women, and might even help ward off memory loss and dementia.

A study done in Boston found that drinking a glass of wine a few times a week can keep you svelte. 20,000 women were surveyed and those who drink wine in moderation were thinner than those who didn't.

Red wine is also good for your heart because it contains an ingredient that's been found to reduce bad cholesterol build-up in the blood-vessels.

And finally the best reason of all is that a glass of red wine a day, could potentially help you live longer. Antioxidants in wine reduce cell damage and protect from diabetes, stomach ulcers and even some cancers.

What foods do you eat that have secret benefits? Will you be drinking more wine now?

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