People who like to be given wine gift hampers may welcome new research that suggested consumption of the beverage can bring health benefits.

Researchers from the Public Assistance Hospitals of Paris revealed that individuals who drink up to half a bottle a day are healthier than those who do not drink wine at all, the Daily Mail reports.

The team monitored almost 150,000 people and discovered those who imbibed a moderate amount of the liquid were fitter than those who never consume a drop.

June Davison, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, commented on the report: "This French study adds to previous research which suggests that a small amount of alcohol drunk regularly can offer some protection against coronary heart disease."

It was recently revealed in an investigation carried out by Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston that regular intake of red wine can help prevent women from putting on weight.