Drinking red wine could help protect against lung disease, research has shown. Experts writing in the journal Thorax found that drinking red wine appears to reduce inflammation in the potentially fatal lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A chemical in wine, resveratrol, was more effective than existing medications for COPD in tests. The chemical is an antioxidant found in the skins of red fruits, such as grapes.
Dr John Harvey of the British Thoracic Society, said: “Red wine has already been linked with protection against heart disease. It seems that drinking red wine in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet can reduce lung inflammation.
“However, the most important way to actually stop lung damage occurring in the first place is to give up smoking,” he said. “Lung diseases are currently the commonest causes of death in the UK.”
