Men who drink red wine may have lower lung cancer risk

Moderate red wine drinking may reduce the risk of lung cancer in men, especially in smokers, new research suggests.

A men's health study in California, USA, tracked 84,170 members aged 45 to 69 who participated in the California Kaiser Permanente Health Plan. From 2000 to the end of 2006, a total of 210 people were diagnosed with lung cancer.

The study found that moderate red wine consumption was associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers. Compared with non-drinkers, smokers who drank at least one glass of red wine a day had a 60% reduced risk of lung cancer.

The researchers pointed out that red wine is known to contain a large number of antioxidants because it is rich in resveratrol compounds found in grape skins, which have shown significant health benefits in preclinical studies. However, the researchers stressed that the best way to reduce the risk of lung cancer is still to quit smoking, and drinking red wine is only a last resort.