Think when you drink!

■ Select the solid.

This will probably disappoint Chardonnay lovers, but in terms of health benefits, white wines are paler than red ones . This is due to the fact that the production of white wines does not include the grape skins (or the marc containing the skins is removed from the production process at an early stage), where the most useful substances are located.

When choosing red wine, focus on the ones that are densest, as they are richest in nutrients. Cotes du Rhone, Australian Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or California Zinfandel are good in this regard.

■ Drink with dinner.

According to some studies, the healing properties of wine are most fully manifested when you drink it with the main dish. An additional plus is that consuming it with meals can reduce the risk of foodborne infections. A British team investigating the risks of infecting the oral cavity from the communion cup found that wine has a bactericidal effect on most of the microorganisms studied - in other words, it kills all known microbes.

■ Don't forget the additives.

Alcohol blocks the absorption of folate and neutralizes its action in the body. This is sometimes dangerous because folate is important for the elimination of homocystin, but still the wine itself lowers the concentration of homocystin, so this can be considered as a compensatory effect.

The fact is that at first too few people consume green leafy vegetables and other foods rich in folic acid. For this purpose, taking a multi-vitamin tablet daily can cover any deficiency.

■ Benefit without alcohol.

You can take advantage of the good qualities of grapes without it in the form of alcohol. Drink red grape juice, which contains most of the active ingredients of wine. But remember that alcohol has a role to play in protecting the heart, so soft drinks will not give you exactly the same effect.

■ Be careful with thinners.

Most diluents are high in sugar and calories. Choose mineral water, unsweetened fruit juices or dietary options for mixed drinks, such as tonk, and avoid cocktails made with sweet liqueurs or high-calorie fruit nectars, plain or coconut cream. Also be careful with Irish coffee, pinacolades and drinks made by mixing alcohol and a carbonated beverage, as they often contain a lot of sugar.

■ A little every day.

Drinking an average of 1-2 glasses a day is quite different from not drinking alcohol all week, and organizing a feast on the weekend. Studies show that people who drink less each day have a lower risk of heart attack than those who drink infrequently but more.

Know your measure

You probably drink more than you think. Most people do not know what a standard alcohol unit is, and the alcohol content of many beverages has increased in recent years.