A study from the Pasadena, California based Kaiser Permanente, researchers published yesterday found a strong link between red wine consumption and a decreased risk of lung cancer in men. The researchers studied 84,170 men ages 45 to 69 who were part of the California Men's Health Study. They found lung cancer risk is lowered an average of 2% for each glass of red wine consumed per month. The greatest risk reduction was found among men who smoked and who drank one or two glasses of red wine per day. They had a whopping 60% reduced risk.
Red wine contains resveratrol, a chemical that is a powerful antioxidant and is associated with a variety of health benefits, both for heart health and for cancer prevention. 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, a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Department of Research and Evaluation in Pasadena. The study, reported by LA Times and published in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, did not find any clear links between lung cancer and consumption of white wine, beer or liquor.
Chao cautions that the best way for smokers to lower the risk of developing lung cancer Chao cautions that the best way for smokers to lower the risk of developing lung cancer is to stop smoking. Even smokers who drink one or two glasses of red wine per day have a higher lung cancer risk than nonsmokers.
"We need more studies on whether people should drink red wine to reduce lung cancer risk," she says. "If people want to drink red wine for cardiovascular benefits, they should talk to their doctor about that. But they shouldn't drink for lung cancer prevention."
Kaiser Permanente has been responsible for pioneering several studies in the alochol and heart related areas spearheaded by Dr. Arthur Klatsky, a Senior Cardiologist who is now retired. His studies started in 1977 with the results in the early nineties, well before the term French Paradox was coined, showed a positive relationship between heart and wine, when drunk in moderation.
A thorough review of the risks and benefits of moderate drinking is available on National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
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