(Devonlive) - Drinking a glass of wine a day almost halves women's risk of heart disease because it boosts sex hormone levels, a new study found.

Unfortunately, the same does not apply men.

Moderate wine consumption boost levels of oestrogen - and the sex hormone is good for the circulation. This could explain the "gender gap" in the protective effects of alcohol, say British scientists.

The study found those women who steadily drank in moderation were 47 per cent less likely to develop Britain's second biggest killer than teetotallers.