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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
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Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Wine, spirits and the lung: good, bad or indifferent?
1New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. skamholz@nshs.edu
Summary
Light-to-moderate wine consumption may benefit lung function and potentially reduce lung cancer risk. However, chronic intake of distilled spirits may negatively impact respiratory health. Resveratrol in wine offers antioxidant benefits.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular effects of alcohol are well-known, but respiratory impacts are less understood.
- Wine and spirits contain various chemical components affecting human health.
- Focus on respiratory system effects of wine and spirits consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review epidemiologic, clinical, and experimental data on wine/spirits' respiratory effects.
- To investigate impacts on lung function, COPD, lung cancer, ARDS, HAPE, and asthma.
- To explore the role of compounds like resveratrol.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies.
- Analysis of epidemiologic data.
- Examination of clinical and experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Light-to-moderate wine intake shows a beneficial effect on pulmonary function.
- Chronic distilled spirits consumption may have neutral or negative respiratory effects.
- Wine consumption linked to reduced lung cancer risk, particularly adenocarcinoma.
- Resveratrol exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and estrogenic properties.
Conclusions:
- Wine consumption may offer respiratory benefits, potentially due to compounds like resveratrol.
- Distilled spirits may pose risks to respiratory health.
- Further research into wine's specific compounds and their clinical effects is warranted.
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