Exciting new research into resveratrol (a natural compound 
found in grapes, mulberries, peanuts, and other plants 
or food products, especially red wine) is showing that
it has other benefits besides its antioxidant role in
reducing vascular disease and cancer. 

Scientists at the University of Milan under Alberto Bertelli
have shown that resveratrol stimulates M.A.P. kinase
(mitogen- activated-protein); which is a neural enzyme that
stimulates nerve cells and helps them to regenerate by up to
sevenfold. Researchers found that the resveratrol made the
human nerve cells grow extensions which enabled them
to connect to neighbouring nerve cells. This helps explain
why wine drinkers have less of the neurodegenerative diseases
such as Alzheimers disease (commonest cause of dementia) and
Parkinson's disease.

In neurodegenerative diseases these connections break down. 
"By daily reinforcing these contacts we can prevent
neurodegeneration". Dr. Bertelli has stated. 

Consuming wine in moderation would also mean that the 
vascular tree within the brain would be less diseased, hence
able to supply the brain's nerves with more blood containing 
essential oxygen and glucose. This is another mechanism by 
which wine helps the brain to function better. So wine in 
moderation could be referred to as "brain food" or 
"brain friendly" as it prevents strokes and nerve cell degeneration, 
which is in marked contrast to what was previously thought 
about the effects of any form of alcohol on the brain. 

With all this good stuff we mustn't lose track of the
consequences of abuse.  Abuse of alcohol can severely damage nerve 
cells leading to Wernicke's encephalopathy, Korsakoffs syndrome, 
peripheral neuropathy and other forms of nerve degeneration.