Tchin Tchin to a better memory

Compounds found in a glass of bubbly can stimulate signals in the parts of the brain that control memory and learning, according to researchers at the University of Reading in the UK.

Our ability to remember is known to deplete with age, which could lead to poor memory in old age, or even dementia. However, says their study, drinking champagne may slow these losses and could help to prevent the decline of cognitive skills.

The drink was shown to improve spatial memory in particular, which is responsible for recording information about surroundings and can help with navigation.

Professor Jeremy Spencer, from the department of food and nutritional sciences at the university, said: "These exciting results illustrate for the first time that the moderate consumption of champagne has the potential to influence cognitive functioning, such as memory. Such observations have been reported previously with red wine through the actions of flavonoids contained in it. However, our research shows that champagne, which lacks flavonoids, is also capable of influencing brain function through the actions of smaller phenolic compounds, previously thought to lack biological activity." He added: "We encourage a responsible approach to alcohol consumption, and our results suggest that a very low intake of one to two glasses a week can be effective."

Champagne's relatively high levels of phenolics derives predominantly from the two red grapes used to make it, pinot noir and pinot meunier.