A sigh of relief: Wine and lung health

The next three items in the list of 101 healthy reasons to drink wine involve the lungs.
30. Several studies have found specific activity of red wine polyphenols against lung cancers of different types. Of course there are other important things such as not smoking that you can do to reduce risk.
31. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is marked by inflammation of the lungs in addition to other problems. Wine's potent polyphenol antioxidants are being investigated as therapeutic agants for COPD and indications are that it could be very helpful. One specific way they work is by preventing the release of the chemical mediators of inflammation called cytokines.
32. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cause of respiratory infections. Wine polyphenols have been shown to interrupt the process by which the virus enters lung cells, and so could thereby help prevent CMV infections.

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