More good news for wine drinkers was released today. Drinking one or two glasses of red wine each day may reduce the risk of lung cancer, even amongst high-risk smokers. Of course, the best way to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer is to stop smoking or never even start, but at least there seem to be new red wine health benefits.

Previous studies have already found a variety of health benefits between moderate wine consumption and heart health and cancer prevention, but this discovery is really astounding.

The actual study was conducted by Kaiser Permanente researchers. The published report found a strong link between red wine consumption and a decreased risk of lung cancer in men. The study focused on 84,170 men ages 45 to 69 who were part of a California Men’s Health Study. They found that the risk of developing lung cancer is lowered by an average of 2% for each glass of red wine consumed per month. The reduction in risk was highest among men who smoked and drank at least one or two glasses of wine per day.

Red wine is known to contain a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol.“Previous studies in lab animals suggest that resveratrol alters the activity of carcinogens in the body, inducing abnormal cells to die and retarding the growth of cancerous cells,” says the lead author of the study, Chun Chao. Unfortunately, the study did not find the same benefits, or any clear links between the reduction of lung cancer and the consumption of white wine, beer or liquor.

Although the findings are outstanding, researchers do not suggest that people begin drinking if they do not already drink, and the researchers do not suggest drinking to prevent lung cancer.

This is just another great benefit for wine lovers. It doesn’t mean change your drinking habits, but if you enjoy a glass or two of wine, you now have even more ammunition in the benefits column.

Cheers!

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