(Medicalnewstoday) - Excessive alcohol consumption has a wide range of harmful health effects, but some previous research has indicated that a moderate intake of wine can have positive cognitive effects. A new study investigates why that may be the case.

Although the negative effects of alcohol consumption are well-known, some studies have indicated that a moderate intake of red wine may delay age-related cognitive impairment, as well as the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Moderate consumption was defined in these studies as under 250 milliliters per day.

A new study - published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition - set out to investigate the molecular mechanism behind this.