Miracles of Armagnac "Lauded in the Middle Ages for its therapeutic properties vertus (some 40 "virtues" were identified by one doctor-turned-cardinal in the 14th century: Maître Vital Dufour), more recently armagnac has been credited by researchers at the University of Bordeaux with anti-oxidant powers similar to those of red wine. And the news gets better. The same researchers have since discovered that rats fed on a high-fat diet and armagnac did not gain weight, unlike rats fed the same food and a substitute alcohol. " Armagnac Amber Paradox by Chris Redman www.francetoday.com Armagnac and Obesity Continuing research into the properties of Armagnac has discovered even more reason to drink France's oldest eau-de-vie, with a suggestion that it may help fight against obesity. In 2005, Professor of Pharmacology, Nicholas Moore from the University of Bordeaux discovered that armagnac drunk moderately and regularly has a beneficial effect on our health, namely in the prevention of heart attacks and thrombosis. The scientific trials published in a Thrombosis Research review showed that the components have a protective effect on the arteries regarding the risk of thrombosis. Professor Moore has now been concentrating his studies into the 'Syndrome Métabolique' – the gaining of weight, cholesterol, diabetes, triglycémie ..... so many illnesses and ailments associated with the excesses of modern living that often involve a diet full of sugars and too many fats. The first results have been very favourable following a year where laboratory rats have been subjected to a 'cantine diet' (scientifically designed) along with a moderate regular consumption of Armagnac. It appears that the metabolism of the overly nourished rats is comparable to that of an animal on a standard diet showing no weight gain. The same experiment conducted using only the ethanol (the alcohol) had a much lesser effect which confirms that it is the vegetal extracts of the Armagnac (from the grapes and the Gascon wood) that are responsible for this desirable outcome. It is unlikely that further tests will be carried out due to these positive scientific results for Armagnac. Source : BNIA