Recovering from a knockout? Then drink red wine...

Then MMA coaches speak of “a bit of the old claret” they're usually talking about blood rather than wine, but that might be about to change if new research delivers positive results.

Two dozen professional fighters are to be enlisted to take part in an experiment on how the after-effects of concussions are altered by resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine.

The neuroprotective compound is thought to reduce damage to the brain after impact and help restore subtle brain functions and connections.

The study research is being coordinated by Joseph Mohmed, a coach with the USA Boxing governing body, and Dr Joshua Gatson of UT Southwestern, who said: “We know from animal studies that if we give the drug immediately after or soon after a brain injury it can dramatically and significantly reduce the damage you see long term.”

But there's bad news for fighters hoping to swap their post-workout shakes for a bottle of vintage Merlot.

Dr Gatson points out that the compound must be taken as a supplement, saying, “Even though resveratrol is found in red wine, you would need 50 glasses of wine to get the required dose for the protection you would need.”