As Christmas approaches, it’s safe to say that dozens of bottles of prosecco are chilling ready to be consumed by merry spirited celebrants.

But if embarking on a booze-filled season leaves you feeling guilty, fret no more. As it transpires, prosecco is filled with health benefits and should be totally embraced. In fact, researchers recommend that drinking prosecco and champagne daily could be great for the body as it causes improvements in the way blood vessels function. Research from The University Reading found that prosecco contains polyphenols which get absorbed into the circulation where they are able to act on the vascular system.  Specifically, they appear to slow down the natural removal of nitric oxide from our blood, meaning that it will have a longer time to act on blood vessels and so improve the flow of blood around the body. "Our research has shown that drinking around two glasses of Champagne can have beneficial effects on the way blood vessels function, in a similar way to that observed with red wine. We always encourage a responsible approach to alcohol consumption, but the fact that drinking Champagne has the potential to reduce the risks of suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, is very exciting news." High nitric oxide levels in the blood, as a result of drinking Champagne, can have beneficial effects, because as well as increasing blood flow, it may help to decrease both blood pressure and the likelihood of blood clots forming. This could therefore reduce the risks of suffering from cardiovascular disease and stroke, but of course, more research needs to be done to determine the long term effects of daily Champagne consumption.