Paris: Scientists have discovered that French Armagnac brandy has medicinal benefits.

They tested de-alcoholised Armagnac on blood cells and found it acted in a similar way to an anti-thrombosis drug.

Next they gave one group of volunteers three centilitres of Armagnac a day, and another the same amount of vodka. Professor Nicholas Moore of Bordeaux University said: “The positive effects were there on the ones who had Armagnac. Small amounts daily will help prevent heart disease.”