ROGER CORDER

Professor of Experimental Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, London

After training as a pharmacist Corder opted for a career in medical research and for the past 25 years has enjoyed the daily challenge of working at the cutting edge of scientific knowledge. Over the last decade his main interest has been the links between diabetes and heart disease. This led him to focus on the importance of improving health and wellbeing through diet, and sparked his research on the health benefits of red wine consumption.

His key studies on the mechanism of the protective effect of red wine, identification of procyanidins (a type of flavonoid polyphenol) as the active component, and discovery of an association between procyanidin-rich red wines and populations with increased longevity were published in the internationally renowned science journal Nature in 2001 and 2006. Recognition that cranberries and cocoa products are also rich sources of these protective plant chemicals has further intensified interest in the health benefits of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages.

Corder has published numerous articles and lectured widely on his research. To widen understanding of the benefits of regular moderate consumption of red wine, and to promote the importance of optimal nutrition for better long-term health Corder recently published The Wine Diet. This book provides a careful assessment of the evidence for making a daily glass or two of red wine part of a healthy diet, and describes the best types of wine for maximal benefit. He also counters many of the diet myths and advice promoted in recent years by giving detailed nutrition guidelines for optimal health - creating an enticing formula for combining good food and wine in order to live a healthier longer life.

The Wine Diet will be published in the US by Avery in September 2007