Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, examined the effects of eight red and white wines from various countries on the enamel of teeth removed from men and women aged 40 to 65.

They found that prolonged contact with white wine erodes the protective layer of teeth making them more sensitive to cold, hot and sweet food and drinks.

Teeth soaked in white wines for 24 hours sustained more damage than those left overnight in red wines, says the journal Nutrition Research. “Within the limits of this study, it can be predicted that frequent consumption of white wines might lead to severe dental erosion,” claimed Dr Brita Willershausen.

Other culprits from recent research are orange juice, fizzy drinks, lemon, and grapefruit juice. The acids in these drinks soften the enamel so that immediate brushing can make matters worse.

However, calcium ingestion may provide some sort of defence. The tradition of having cheese with wine, for example, may be an intuitive reaction to the problem

Perhaps a glass of milk swirled round the mouth may also assist in counteracting the acid attack.

Does alcohol destroy brain cells? The answer would seem to be No.

It may be bad for you in many other ways, but it won’t get to those little grey cells and reduce you to idiocy, it’s now thought.

But be warned, excessive consumption of the comforting tincture can bring on Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which definitely reduces memory.

As for brain cells, you would need to pass out, and be close to death, before alcohol destroyed a single brain cell.

So take heart, but always be moderate.

Swings and roundabouts.

Can you protect yourself against too much alcohol consumption? Herbalists believe you can.

The milk thistle plant whose seeds are beneficial

The seeds of the milk thistle plant contain a powerful antioxidant called silymarin, which is said to protect not just the liver, but also the gall bladder and spleen against the demon drink.

Milk thistle is a member of the daisy family of plants and is rich in flavonolignans, a group of compounds which help to repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxins.

Silymarin also has anti-inflammatory properties that protect new liver cells from destruction. Add the presence of phytochemicals which fight against toxic overload and, all in all, the humble milk thistle is a great little helper if you have a tendency to overdo it from time to time.

You can take milk thistle as a capsule, in tablet, tincture or liquid extract form, before or after drinking.