Researchers claim to have found new health benefits in wine, citing its antibacterial effects. Organic compounds found in both red and white wines fights germs that can cause dental plaque and sore throats.

The active germ-fighting ingredients include lactic, malic, succinic, and tartaric acids. In isolation, these compounds were found to be effective at killing 99.9 percent of dental and sore throat bacteria.

But here's where we get into the Good News / Bad News. These ingredients are not as effective when in the actual wine. Something in the final drink dampens its germ-fighting ability, so it's still not a good substitute for your regular oral health routine.

So, for those of you who were envisioning swishing and gargling cabernet as your new morning routine, time to gently bring yourself back to reality.

Although wine is often touted as having moderate health benefits, it's really the bioflavanoids you're looking for. Bioflavanoids are present in grape seeds and grape skins, but NOT in the alcohol caused by fermenting the sugar in the grape pulp.

In fact, alcohol, in any form, is a neurotoxin that can poison your brain and leave you more vulnerable to various forms of cancer, which is why I personally do not advocate drinking any amount of wine. People with high blood pressure, extra weight, diabetes, or high cholesterol should be even more cautious when it comes to alcohol--including wine--as it increases insulin levels.

LiveScience July 5, 2007

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 55 (13), 5038 -5042 June 5, 2007 (Full Length Report)