A glass of red wine a day could help women get pregnant

The health benefits of drinking one glass of red wine a day have long been debated - with some scientists suggested it has been linked to preventing cancer and improving brain function.

But now the latest research suggests that the natural compounds found in the popular alcoholic drink can actually help boost female fertility.

A study, published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology & Metabolism, analysed the effects of resveratrol, which is found in red wine, on 30 women who suffer with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

People with PCOS of childbearing age produce higher amounts of testosterone and androgen than average, and blood tested showed that those who took a resveratrol tablet every day saw their testosterone levels fall by 23.1 per cent.

In comparison, testosterone levels increased by 2.9 per cent in women who had taken a placebo supplement.

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“Our study is the first clinical trial to find resveratrol significantly lowers PCOS patients' levels of testosterone as well as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), another hormone that the body can convert into testosterone,” says Professor Antoni Duleba from the University of California, who lead the study.

“This nutritional supplement can help moderate the hormone imbalance that is one of the central features of PCOS. The findings suggest resveratrol can improve the body's ability to use insulin and potentially lower the risk of developing diabetes.

“The supplement may be able to help reduce the risk of metabolic problems common in women with PCOS.”

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