Red Wine Protects Ex-Smokers' Lungs

news you may not know

The Protector...

It's funny how some things work out. Sure, by now at least, we all know that smoking is really not a good thing. OK, so we've known that for a very long time. But, what about drinking? Where does it fit on the continuum of healthy living? Well, though there's been quite a bit of debate about that, red wine keeps popping up on everyone's list of healthy choices.

Here's one more reason to add red wine to your list - especially if you're an ex-smoker.

Researchers recently studied over 80,000 men between 45 and 69 to assess the effect of red wine on lung cancer. They controlled for several factors, including comparing the outcomes for those who drank white wine instead of red.

The numbers are stunning.

Let's start with 60 percent. It's a huge number, and it represents the decrease in the risk of contracting lung cancer for red wine drinkers versus tea-totallers. This comparison applies to men who have ever been smokers, and includes current smokers, when they drink at least one glass of red wine each day. Sixty percent!

The study found that each glass of red wine consumed during a month yields a two percent reduction in risk.

So, though it's certainly better to have never puffed the noxious weed in the first place, this study is quite remarkable. Add in a little dark chocolate with your wine - for the antioxidants, of course - and you'll be well on your way to a healthy, and happy, lifestyle.

To read more about the study, see this from Reuters. To read about some of the other health benefits of red wine, see this form Yale-New Haven Hospital.