South Africans love their wine, and rightly so, as we have some of the best wines in the world.

And now we may have even more reason to love our favourite drink studies have shown a compound found in red wine could be linked to boosting the immune system.

Researchers at the University of Florida in the US have found that, unlike many other alcoholic beverages, red wine does not suppress the immune system. In fact, it may help to boost it.

Many studies have shown that red wine in moderation may have some health benefits, including helping with longevity, lower blood pressure, and preventing coronary heart disease and some cancers.

Could red wine actually be healthy? Thankfully, yes, and enjoying a glass of wine can be part of maintaining ahealthy lifestyle.However, moderation is key and it is also important to realise that not all red wine is the same. Different reds have differentdifferent levels of antioxidants.

Red wine contains naturally occurring compounds called polyphenols, which are found in the skins of berries, specifically grape skins. There are different kinds of polyphenols, including antioxidants likeprocyanidinsandresveratrol, each of which has its own health benefits.

Resveratrol enhances the bodys ability tocreate anti-inflammatory molecules, which may lead to an improvement in the immune system. This antioxidant helpshealthy gut bacteria to flourish by stimulating T-cell production and enhancing the bodys immune response.

The best wines for boosting the immune system are wines high in resveratrol and procyanidins, andlow in residual sugar the natural sugars left behind from the fermentation process.

Dry red wines with high levels of tannins and antioxidants should be your go-to varietals during cold and flu season. Some wines with high tannin levels may have an astringent or slightly bitter taste, so if you get headaches from the tannins, go for a low-tannin red with high levels of resveratrol like Pinot Noir.

Merlot is the most planted of all grapes in France and the fourth most planted grape after Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz. Its plummy, cassis-like flavours make it one of the more popular drinking wines with a softer, more seductive flavour than Cabernet.

And its good for you as it has high levels of the antioxidant procyanidin. Studies have shown that Merlot has demonstrated positive effects on the immune system.

Malbecis a full-bodied redgrape that grows mostly inArgentina. It is renowned for its plump, dark fruit flavours and smoky finish. The thick-skinned wine grape produces a bold red wine with rich notes of plum and cocoa, and is packed with resveratrol, making it a good choice to boost your immune system.

Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape with particularlyhigh levels of resveratrol. This fruity, light-bodied, easy-drinking red has been linked to heart health and may help boost your immune system.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the worlds most widely recognised red wine grape varieties. This highly adaptable grape produces a full-bodied red wine with high tannins, and notes of dark fruit and baking spices.

It is packed with high levels of antioxidantsthat enhance immunity and help to protect cells against free radicals.

Nebbiolo is an Italian red wine from the Piedmont region that contains high levels of polyphenols like procyanidin. This varietal also contains melatonin, which helps to set the bodys circadian rhythm and mayhelp with relaxation.

Also known as Durif,Petite Syrahis a full-bodied wine with rich flavours of blueberry, chocolate, plums, and black pepper, and notably high tannins. Due to its high levels of antioxidants like resveratrol, this varietal has demonstrated cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.

Despite its popularity, Petite Syrah is a relatively rare grape grown mainly in California.

Tannat is a red wine grape historically grown in south-west France. It is a full-bodied, tannin-rich wine jam-packed with antioxidants, making itone of the healthiest red winesout there. It is also one of the most prominent grapes in Uruguay, where it is considered the national grape.

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Glass a day keeps the doc away: Wines to boost your immunity - The South African