THURSDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- A key compound in red wine known as resveratrol appears to protect against many of the health ravages associated with growing old, new animal research reveals.

"It's very hard to extrapolate from this finding to comment on the benefits of red wine directly, because red wine has many other compounds besides resveratrol, including ethanol, which have very active biological effects," noted study author Rafael de Cabo, unit chief of the laboratory of experimental gerontology at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore.

THURSDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Resveratrol, a compound found in grapes, red wine, pomegranates and certain other foods, may protect the heart and slow the effects of aging, a new study suggests.

Tests in mice revealed that low doses of resveratrol mimic the effects of caloric restriction, diets with 20 percent to 30 percent fewer calories than a typical diet that have been shown to extend life span.

The issue of aging and aging well seems to be one of those topics ripe for discussion. And today, the New York Times came out with a story that thrilled me.

"Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs."

New York Times article

Given this info, are you more likely to increase your red wine intake? Is it too soon to tell?

This article from Reuters got me thinking about the benefits of drinking in moderation vs. the benefits of not drinking at all. For years, we've heard from the media (through studies and researchers) that a little drinking -- especially red wine may be good for you. Do you think these claims have been overstated? Does anyone enjoy a glass of wine a night for this reason? On another note, does red wine really help you sleep?