A daily glass of red wine may counterbalance rich foods and be the key to keeping your heart young.

Scientists have often noted how people in France had a much lower incidence of coronary heart disease than those in Britain, despite their similar intake of saturated fats.

Now a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, has discovered that a compound found in red wine appears to protect the heart from ageing and may do almost as much good as eating a low-calorie diet.

The compound, resveratrol, is found in grapes, pomegranates, red wine and some other foods. But experts agree red wine should only be drunk in moderation, with women consuming no more than a medium-sized glass a day and men two glasses.