Wine related articles
Lung Cancer: Red Wine May Be of Help But White Wine Could Increase
Risk Slightly
Staff Writer - April
16, 2005
According to Spanish scientists, who examined the effects of different types of wine on lung cancer, that is, the most common and deadly form of cancer, drinking red wine could protect against such a disease, while white wine may contribute to increasing the risk.
Professor Juan Barros-Dios, who lead the research, said, "Consumption of red wine ... was associated with a slight but statistically significant reduction in the development of lung cancer." The result of this study was published in the scientific journal Thorax.
Tannins and resveratrol, substances that are found in red wine, could explain the anti-cancer properties. In fact, tannins act as antioxidants and keep free radicals in check, while resveratrol is known to fight the growth of cancerous tumors.
On the other hand,"In terms of the daily number of glasses, white wine appeared to increase the risk," said Barros-Dios in the journal.
However the scientists emphasized that the risk from drinking white wine was very slight and just 39 white wine drinkers were studied.
According to the study, the increased risk is caused by the ethanol contained in white wine. Though red wine contains ethanol as well, the anti-lung cancer benefits outweighs possible gene damage from the ethanol.
The study, however, did not promote binge drinking to combat lung cancer, which, according to the latest World Health Organization figures, killed 1.2 million people in 2000.
"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," said Juan Barros-Dios.
Another researcher, Dr. Alberto Ruano-Ravina, said that the study's goal was to investigate red wine's anti-cancer components, rather than to determine how much wine would ward off cancer. "We do not recommend drinking if you want to prevent lung cancer," he said.
He added that the risk of lung cancer to non-smokers is very small, suggesting that smokers should quit.
The effects of wine drinking were studied in 132 people with lung cancer and 187 people in hospital for non-tobacco related minor surgery in the Santiago de Compostela district, in northwestern Spain.
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