Red Wine Good for Smokers, Scientists Find

Reuters ^ | 8-31-03 | Anon. Reuters Health Stringer

[Pharmboy]

VIENNA (Reuters) - If you must smoke, at least make sure you have a glass of red wine in the other hand.

Researchers said Sunday there were enough beneficial chemicals in two glasses of red wine to suspend the harmful effect that smoking one cigarette has on the functioning of arteries.

That does not prove regular red wine drinking can counteract the harm of chronic smoking, John Lekakis and Christos Papamichael of University Hospital in Athens told the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.

But the finding does suggest that red wine -- long seen as good for the heart when drunk in moderation -- may provide clues in the hunt for new drug candidates capable of reversing smoking's harmful effects.

The scientists used a Greek red wine, rich in chemicals known as polyphenols, for their experiment on 16 healthy volunteers. They established that alcohol was not the cause of the beneficial effect by testing an alcohol-free version, which worked just as well.

[Pharmboy]

OK, smokers: no more Boilermakers, just Merlot. (Yeah, right...)

[SamAdams76]

Polyphenols are also abundant in olive oil. So smokers, pour some olive oil on your vegetables too.

[Pharmboy]

Thanks, Sam. I did not know that.

And, BTW, still Atkinizing? I'm in my second week of induction.

[EggsAckley]

enough beneficial chemicals in two glasses of red wine to suspend the harmful effect that smoking one cigarette

So I guess that would indicate about forty glasses per pack. These people are beyond idiots......

[Ff--150]

1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

[The Great RJ]

What could be better than a fine meal--prepared with olive oil--, several glasses of good red wine followed by a nice cigar. Life doesn't get any better than that.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Polyphenols are also abundant in olive oil. So smokers, pour some olive oil on your vegetables too."

If you want polyphenols, eat blueberries:

"...blueberries contain two to three times more polyphenols (a group of antioxidants) than grapes.."

I eat frozen blueberries instead of ice cream--DELICIOUS!!!

[MaryFromMichigan]

St. Julian's- Simply Red
St. Julian is a great little winery near my place.

[secret garden]

Drop the beer and grab some wine ping. ;)

[TheRightGuy]

Researchers said Sunday there were enough beneficial chemicals in two glasses of red wine to suspend the harmful effect that smoking one cigarette has on the functioning of arteries

Hmmmm ... my wife smokes 2 packs per day, that means she would need to drink 80 glasses of wine???

That'd make her a lot of fun!

[SamAdams76]

I'm a big berry eater too as that is the only type of fruit I allow myself these days. I go through maybe two pints of blueberries a week along with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. I usually eat them plain at breakfast or stirred in yogurt. It is said that blueberries are the best fruit you can eat.

[SamAdams76]

Still low-carbing and probably will be for life. I keep my carbs down to 100g a day or less. That is compared to the 500-600g of carbs I used to eat! (The average American eats 425g a day of carb.)

I've lost 75 pounds since April and I feel great. Just did a 10 mile walk this morning and my breakfast was three hard-boiled eggs, four slices bacon, blueberry yogurt and an ounce of smoked almonds with two mugs of Splenda-sweetened English Breakfast tea.

I believe strongly in eating well and heartily. My daily calorie count is in the 2,000-2,500 neighborhood and I'm never hungry. I think low-calorie, low-fat dieting is a terrible way to go. Congrats on your low-carb plan. It WILL work if you stick to it and don't cheat! Make sure you drink lots of water and take multivitamins. You need exercise as well.

[Ditter]

Hi Sam, I'm still dieting. Its slow work for me. I am not one of those who drop weight quickly but I have lost 6-7 lbs in 3-4 weeks. I wish I had measured myself because I can tell I have lost inches , my clothes fit better. I am determined to stick with this because I feel so good about myself & my progress, no matter that it is slow. Its still too hot here for me to get outside & walk, I know if I had been doing that I would have lost more by now. I tried the mall walking thing but I spend too much money & I want to wait to buy (smaller) clothes. LOL The best part is my husband has given up the carbs & his type 2 diabetes is MUCH better. I love to read the diet threads & hear about everyones success.

[VadeRetro]

Researchers said Sunday there were enough beneficial chemicals in two glasses of red wine to suspend the harmful effect that smoking one cigarette has on the functioning of arteries.

So it's two glasses of red for every cancer stick and you're fine? If you're a pack-a-day smoker, that's 20 smokes and 40 glasses of wine each day. I've heard from somewhere that a 750 ml wine bottle holds six regular wine glasses, so that's six and 2/3 bottles a day.

You can do that for a special, happy, too-short time, but your family and your boss will need to be very understanding of your particular needs while your liver holds out.

[VadeRetro]

So I guess that would indicate about forty glasses per pack.

Ahhh! You beat me.

[SamAdams76]

Good to hear that your husbands Type 2 diabetes is in remission. Both my parents have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and I was headed that way myself. Some of my uncles and aunts have already died from complications caused by diabetes. It's a nasty disease but fortunately, it is treatable and preventable with the right kind of lifestyle.

I was raised on a very high-carb diet and I lived that way as an adult for 20 years. I actually thought it was healthy to eat that way! I'd roll up spaghetti in bread and have "spaghetti sandwiches", not realizing that my body would metabolize it as mostly pure sugar! I used to congratulate myself for choosing pancakes and toast over bacon and eggs!

Anyway, I am cured of all that and I will now be a big proponent of low-carb eating.

You say it is too hot to walk where you are but what about getting up early in the morning to walk before the heat of the day sets in? That is actually the best time to get in your excercise as your metabolism will be spiked for a good part of the day.

Up here in New England, it is rarely too warm to walk. In fact, it was in the low 50s this morning and I could see my breath. But I'll have a real obstacle in the winter when it is often below zero (at least windchill-wise).

[southernnorthcarolina]

Researchers said Sunday there were enough beneficial chemicals in two glasses of red wine to suspend the harmful effect that smoking one cigarette has on the functioning of arteries.

Of course, rather than trying to offset one (of many) ill effects of the habit, one could take a more direct approach, and conclude that rolling up dead leaves in paper, sticking them in your mouth, setting them on fire, and sucking the smoke into one's lungs is not a great idea. Naaaah -- too simple.

[Wonder Warthog]

"You say it is too hot to walk where you are but what about getting up early in the morning to walk before the heat of the day sets in? That is actually the best time to get in your excercise as your metabolism will be spiked for a good part of the day."

Even better is to do that early morning exercise BEFORE eating anything at all (i.e. in a "fasting" state). Does wonders for fat metabolism. I assume that is your practice??

[SamAdams76]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. I neglected to mention that. I do my longest walk of the day BEFORE breakfast to maximize fat burn. But then I ensure that I do eat a good breakfast right after I am done. Breakfast is rapidly becoming the major meal of my day.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'll stick wid mah beer. Ah hate red wine.