Red wine protects you from lung cancer, white wine raises risk

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 28 Oct 2004 - 12:00 PDT

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According to a Spanish study, if you are a red wine drinker your habit may be protecting you from developing lung cancer, if you are a white wine drinker your risk could be raised.

You can read about this study in the Journal, Thorax.

Study leader, Prof. Juan Barros-Dios said 'Consumption of red wine was associated with a slight but statistically significant reduction in the development of lung cancer.'

We know that red wine (unlike white wine) has tannins and resveratrol which have anti-cancer properties. Tannins mop of free radicals, tannins are antioxidants, while resveratrol helps halt the growth of a tumour.

Barros Dios said his study showed the white wine drinkers had an increased risk. He also pointed out that not many white wine drinkers took part in the study, only 39. If there is a link, he said it may be because of the ethanol content of white wine.

Red wine also has ethanol. However, the researchers say the bad effects of ethanol are far outweighed by the benefits of red wine's anti cancer properties.

Barros Dioes added 'It would be extremely risky, and even dangerous, for recommendations to be drawn up endorsing high consumption of red wine for the prevention of lung cancer.'

The study looked at 132 people with lung cancer and 187 patients who had minor surgery (non-smokers).

We are sent many articles here at Medical News Today stating how good red wine is for you. People write to us asking:

'The good ingredients found in red wine can also be found in red grapes. Surely, the best thing to do is eat red grapes.' Any comments?

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