Those who prefer red wine to white have long had good reason to be smug about it: the drink has previously been shown to lower cholesterol, fight inflammation and even prevent tooth decay. Now there is yet another health benefit to add to the pile.

Consuming foods and drinks particularly high in flavonoids – such as berries, tea, dark chocolate and, yes, red wine – could potentially safeguard your brain in older age, with researchers linking these plant-based antioxidants with lowering the risk of developing dementia.

Natural substances called "flavonoids", found in a range of fruits and vegetables including berries and leafy greens, are the reason.