Researchers from Sweden's Karolinska Institute studied 102 women who had survived a heart attack or surgery for blocked arteries a year later, and found that those who drank wine had healthier heart rhythms.

Researcher Staffan Ahnve said that wine may calm the nervous system, in turn helping maintain a healthy heart rhythm.

"This research suggests that the type of drink may be important and adds to the evidence that red wine may have specific benefits over and above other alcoholic drinks," said Charmaine Griffiths of the British Heart Foundation. "In the short term, the good news is that we can all enjoy alcohol in moderation. However, drinking too much can have an adverse effect on health. It can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and lead to weight gain."

The research was published in the March 2005 issue of the journal Heart.

Janszky, I., et al. (2005). Wine drinking is associated with increased heart rate variability in women with coronary heart disease. Heart, 91(3): 314-318.

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