On Wednesday, Professor Juan Barros-Dios, Ruano-Ravina and research colleague Adolfo Figueiras, affiliated with the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, published their recent research study in the scientific journal Thorax which states that drinking red wine could protect against lung cancer.

The effects of wine drinking were studied in 132 people with lung cancer and 187 people in the hospital for non-tobacco related minor surgery.

In the Santiago de Compostela district of northwestern Spain, the research team examined the effects of different types of wine on lung cancer. Lung cancer was chosen because it is the most common and deadly form of the disease.

"Consumption of red wine ... was associated with a slight but statistically significant reduction in the development of lung cancer," said research team leader Professor Juan Barros-Dios.

Barros-Dios credits tannins and resveratrol, substances found in red wine.

Tannins act as antioxidants, which mop up free radicals -- particles harmful to cells.

Resveratrol is known to fight cancer tumor growth.

He said these two properties could explain the drink's anti-cancer effects.

On the flipside, Barros-Dios said in the journal, "In terms of the daily number of glasses, white wine appeared to increase the risk."

While only thirty-nine white wine drinkers were studied, the scientists concluded the increased risk from drinking white wine was because of the ethanol it contained.

The increased risk from drinking white wine was very slight.

They explained that all wine contains the chemical ethanol, which is a gene mutator, but in red wine the anti-lung cancer benefits outweighed possible gene damage from the ethanol.

However, Barros-Dios was mindful to point out the latest World Health Organization figures which state that 1.2 million people were killed in 2000 by binge drinking. He said, "It would be extremely risky -- and even dangerous -- for recommendations to be drawn up endorsing high consumption of red wine for the prevention of lung cancer."

Research colleague Dr. Alberto Ruano-Ravina said the aim of the study was to investigate red wine's anti-cancer components, not determine how much wine would ward off cancer.

From here, Barros-Dios, Ruano-Ravina and research colleague Adolfo Figueiras will continue their studies using lab animals.

Red Wine Polyphenols: A Source for Reducing Heart Disease

In 2001, we learned that a research study conducted at the William Harvey Research Institute in the U.K., credited natural chemicals called polyphenols found in red wine as a source for reduced heart disease.

It had long been known that red wine helps keep arteries clean.

What remained in question, until findings were published in the highly respected Nature Magazine, was "how"?

Researchers led by Professor Corder at the William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, tested red wine, blush wine, white wine, and grape juice on Endothelin-1 - the substance that causes arteries to constrict.

Overproduction of Endothelin-1 is what causes arteries to harden and clog up. The tests showed that the decrease in Endothelin-1 was proportional to the amount of polyphenols in the wine or juice.

They found that white and blush wine had no effect, and grape juice only had a middle-level effect.

The big winner: Red wine -- thanks to the polyphenols found in the skins of red grapes.

Specifically, the Cabernet Sauvignon blend came out on top.

The biggest winner in the study: an Argentine red wine from Mendoza.

Dr. Harvey E. Finkel, an award-winning wine writer, and clinical professor of medicine at the Boston University Medical Center, offers clarification on these findings at:

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and cancer-free, disease-free, Argentine wine living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King

P.S. For those of you in America who have the opportunity to come to San Francisco, Rugged Elegance recommends you try the new Argentine restaurant, El Raigon in North Beach. One of the owners is an importer of Argentine wines. If possible, ask for Alberto Lataliste!