Scientists are delivering some unexpected cheer this Christmas. They have found that a couple of glasses of champagne a day are good for your heart and blood circulation.
Nor, they believe, are the benefits limited to expensive fizz: cheaper alternatives such as cava and prosecco may offer similar effects.
The research is the handiwork of a team led by Dr Jeremy Spencer of Reading University, working with scientists in France, and is to be published in the British Journal of Nutrition this week.
“We have found that a couple of glasses a day has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels – which suggests champagne has the potential to reduce strokes and heart disease,” Dr Spencer told the Observer. “It is very exciting news.”
Two glasses a day of red wine, previous research has found, helps ward off heart and circulation problems. Most of that effect comes from chemicals called polyphenols, which affect circulation by slowing down the removal of nitric oxide from the blood. In turn, elevated levels of nitric oxide cause blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure and reduces risks of heart problems and strokes.
Polyphenols are found in relatively high levels in red but not white wine. However, they are found in champagne, which is made from two varieties of black grape, pinot noir and pinot meunier, and one of white, chardonnay. “The question was: would champagne have the same impact as red wine or would it have the limited impact of white wine?” said Spencer.
The team found that champagne had a far greater impact on nitric oxide levels in the blood than did a polyphenol-free alternative of alcohol and carbonated water. In short, its polyphenols have the ability to improve blood pressure and reduce heart disease risks. “Our data suggests that a daily moderate consumption of champagne wine may improve vascular performance via the delivery of phenolic constituents,” state the researchers in their paper. They have yet to test other types of fizz, such as cava and prosecco, but Spencer said there was “no reason” in principle that they should not perform in the same way.
Red wines and champagne are not the only sources of polyphenols available to consumers, the team pointed out. They are also found in high levels in cocoa beans. So you could achieve the same gains without alcohol by with a mug of cocoa at bedtime, added Spencer. “The benefit is certainly the same but it doesn't seem as much fun somehow.”
They appeared in a parade of hair, heels and expensively veneered teeth. With the final of The X Factor looming on Saturday and Sunday night, the judges and three remaining contestants gathered in central London today to share their thoughts on the four-hour showdown.
Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole wore stunning frocks with bows and glitter, as if for cocktails. Simon Cowell wore jeans and a sweater, as if for gardening. But despite the presence of the finalists – Olly Murs, favourite Joe McElderry and Stacey Solomon – it was clear from the start who the real star of the show was.
Outside, three dozen excited teenagers had waited with cameraphones aloft. “I love Simon,” said fashion retail student Louise Brown, 19, from Sidcup, south-east London. “He's always fair and honest and he's always right. He just knows. He's the top man. He's definitely a father figure.”
Cowell, ever the master showman, delivered the only news of the conference. Murs will duet with Robbie Williams on the two-hour Saturday night show, McElderry with George Michael and Solomon with Michael Bublé.
He revealed that there is no deal in place with ITV to repeat The X Factor next year – although he did not sound nervous about its prospects or the competition. “Who won Strictly this year?” he asked. “Is it still on?”
The success of this year's sixth series, he reckoned, was down to the last-minute change in format that required contestants to audition in front of arena audiences. “It was a nightmare schedule,” he said. “I built the set myself, in my shed.”
He feigned annoyance with Cole (”I don't think I want her back”) for landing a deal to host her own show, Cheryl Cole's Night In, and teased another judge: “Louis is doing A Night In With Louis – recipes, Irish dancing and crochet.”
There was a short film of the contestants' “journey” (that now inescapable cliche of the reality show), during which Cole and her contestant McElderry whispered, laughed and nudged each other, and Cowell proudly patted his protege Murs on the shoulder.
Then, finally, the panel took on the press's most urgent questions. Would Murs continue to wear tight trousers, the woman from Mizz was anxious to know? “I like my stuff tight. I'm sure there will be tight trousers at the weekend,” he replied. Were they nervous? “The pressure is, like, nice,” giggled Solomon.
John and Edward, two boys in blazers who had been sent to report for BBC's Newsround, wondered if the show had lost its fun since Jedward, the game but tuneless Irish duo, had been voted off. “I definitely do,” said their mentor, Walsh. “My two boys were fantastic. I think they have a great career.” Cole, who won Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 as part of Girls Aloud, admitted the experience of her protege, fellow Geordie McElderry, “takes me right back. The north-east is right behind him and could not be prouder.” Stacey seemed amused that a restaurant in Dagenham had shown its support by naming a pizza, Stacey's Special, after her. “It's got everything on it. They must think I'm a right pig.” Her highlight of the show was the trip to the Middle East with mentor Minogue: “Swimming with dolphins. Dubai, even though I was sweating all the time.”
Walsh, the only judge without an act in the final, appeared reluctant to be drawn on the likely winner. “I think they are all good. It's wide open. Anyone can win it. I like the three of them.” A pause and a laugh. “Joe is my favourite, OK?”
But triumph, as they may soon learn, can be a mixed blessing. The winner of the first series in 2004, Steve Brookstein, had a No 1 single and album but was dropped by Cowell's label. He has since had a part in a touring musical. Shayne Ward, the 2005 winner, had two multi-platinum albums, but Leon Jackson, who won in 2007, was dumped earlier this year after one album. Alexandra Burke, last year's winner, has just released her first material. Only 2006 winner Leona Lewis has so far made good on the prospect of global success and multimillion album sales.
I've got a funny story to tell you regarding Orlando timeshares. It's a true one, not making it up. Way back when I first moved to Orlando I had one of my sisters come down for a visit. We did not have much money, in fact both of us were broke. I wanted her to see at least one theme park while she was down here, so I checked out the deals at timeshares.
Well it turns out that one was advertising a pair of free tickets to Disney World just to come in and take a tour of the timeshares. I forget how, but somehow we passed ourselves off as husband and wife (no redneck jokes here please). They asked for your drivers license and stuff, I forget what you needed but it was not much.
So on the day of the tour we went in and they had a free breakfast waiting for us. Actually there was around 20 couples there, all doing the same thing. That's how they do that, round up a bunch for a morning breakfast and sales pitch. A guy came out and told us he was our guide and salesperson. So after we ate he led us to a timeshare unit, all the while just bursting with energy and so happy to be with us!
He was good, I have to say that. He quoted all kinds of facts and figures about how you can save money with timeshares verses hotel rooms, what a great investment it is and all that. The timeshare units were very nice, whirlpool bath, lots of extras, pretty pond and fountain to watch out your window. All the while being so nice and helpful, like he was doing us a favor just be being there.
Once we got back to the meeting room he started his hard sell. Everyone else was there too, having been shown a unit just like us. That's when I started the whole thing of looking at my sister and saying “well dear, what do you think”? Each time I said it was a big decision and I wanted to think about it, he would do the whole “you can't pass this up, you'll save 30% by signing today” and so on.
NOW my new best friend was starting to get really aggressive, saying “what's to think about, I CAN'T let you miss this fantastic deal” and so on. While he was doing this, all the others were getting the sales pitch from their new best friends too! Each time one signed the papers, they would ring a bell and have everyone clap for joy that this person made the right choice!!
Each time that happened my best,, uh,, frustrated friend seemed to get less and less friendly. He worded his pitch in a way that was like I just did not have a choice, I HAD to sign and do the right thing for myself and my wife! Well needless to say I turned him down each time until he knew it was over. At that point I must have done something to hurt his feelings, as my new best friend did not like me anymore!
As I asked where we went to get our free tickets he seemed to sneer at me and waved toward the back, ignoring my hand as I trying to thank him for his time. You see, he was already getting ready for the free brunch people coming in, the next batch of tourist that would be thrown his sales pitch. Somehow I knew he would find a new best friend with them!
So we got our tickets and got the heck out of there. I suppose we both got what was coming to us, I wanted free tickets and got them underhanded, he did his best to have me sign for something I could never afford. That's how all those “get free tickets to see a timeshare” deals works. The salesmen are better than used car salesmen, and twice as aggressive.
I understand why. They get paid for each sale. So no sale, no money. They have nothing to lose by doing their best to sell you that timeshare. It's their job, and they do it well. I have a feeling timeshare salesmen have a high turnover rate! Now, what is my point to this whole story, which by the way is true like I said?
The point is many tourist are approached, or see the ads and ask, about getting free tickets, discounted tickets, free meals, free merchandise or whatever else they are offering in return for touring a timeshare. Many think why not, it's just a few hours right, we see some cool units, say no and get our free stuff.
But as I showed you in my story, they are very, very good! They also get very, very aggressive; they have to in order to keep offering that free stuff. By the time you leave you will be tired and mad, very mad! Or, you will now be a proud owner of a timeshare, so much for free! My point here is not to say timeshares are or are not worth it.
That's up to each person that looks at one. My point is that doing it just for the free stuff is NOT worth it! If you really have no intention to buy one, don't do it just to get the freebies. The mental stress and downright feeling of being used is not worth it. I'll have articles telling you how to get cheap tickets without selling your pride, don't worry! So take my advice, and don't tour an Orlando timeshare for free tickets.
Tracy Schwartz
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