Smoke the Occasional Cigarette? Consider a Glass of Red Wine Beforehand!

A glass of red wine consumed before smoking a cigarette may alleviate most of tobacco’s short-term negative effects, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine.

Red wine, already known for its positive effects in preventing cardiovascular disease, can also reduce vascular injury caused by smoking. The reason behind this effect is thought to be the high levels of phenol in red wine, researchers from German University of Saarland say.

The study is based on researching effects of wine on 20 young, healthy non-smokers who volunteered to smoke three cigarettes, while half of the group drank a glass of red wine beforehand. Researchers took samples of urine and blood before and after smoking and found that wine prevented the body from releasing micro-particles from artery walls, platelets and white blood cells — all indicators of damage from smoking.

"The aim of our study was to investigate the acute vascular effects of red wine consumption prior to 'occasional lifestyle smoking' in healthy individuals. We found evidence that preconsumption of red wine prevented most of the vascular injury caused by smoking," said lead researcher Viktoria Schwarz.

However, the study covered only young, healthy individuals. Additional research is needed to determine the effects on elderly, ill or chronic smokers, researchers stated.