Have you been drinking wine to improve heart health? Well, your efforts may have been in vain. The author of a much publicized study, which linked resveratrol – an ingredient found in red wine – to cardiovascular health benefits, is being accused of falsifying his data.

According to the AFP, Dr. Dipak Das, of the University of Connecticut Health Center, is accused of publishing fake studies on the health benefits of drinking red wine in up to 11 scientific journals. The university launched an investigation into Das’ work three years ago after receiving an anonymous tip regarding irregularities in his findings.

During the investigation, more than 140 incidences of falsified data was found.

In a statement, the University of Connecticut said Das was dismissed from his work at the university, his grants were frozen and declined $890,000 in federal grant money awarded to him.

According to PubMed, a research bibliography website, Das has co-authored more than 150 articles including one published earlier this month.

Red wine drinkers don’t need to worry – other studies have confirmed the health benefits of resveratrol.

“There are many investigators who are working on resveratrol. That doesn’t mean we know the whole truth. But Rome wasn’t built on Dr. Das,” Nir Barzilai, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told Retraction Watch.

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