You shouldn't take this as a green light to drink buckets of the stuff but there a few ways in which Christmas favourite mulled wine could be good for you.

The traditional Christmas beverage is of course made from red wine with various spices and fruit, and is served warm.

Research shows red wine can reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It is also a great source of antioxidants and increases your good cholesterol levels.

Red wine in moderation may also reduce the risk of osteoporosis by increasing bone mineral density in men and women.

Aside from the spices, many restaurants and homemade recipes call for mulled wine to be served with cinnamon sticks.

Cinnamon contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and restore tissue, making it an added bonus in flavour and health benefits.

Another powerful spice, nutmeg is often used to detox. It helps clear out the liver and kidneys of toxins from alcohol, drugs, pollution and food.

Obviously these health benefits won’t show if you are drinking several glasses of the stuff a night but little and often and we might well be onto something.