Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Gross Anatomy of the Lungs

Gross Anatomy of the Lungs

The lungs are a pair of vital organs connected to the trachea via the left and right bronchi. The base of these organs meets the dome-shaped muscle known as the diaphragm. Encased by the pleurae, the lungs contact the mediastinum. The right lung is shorter yet wider, and has a larger volume than the left lung. The left lung has an indentation known as the cardiac notch. The superior region of the lungs is referred to as the apex, whereas the base is the lower region near the diaphragm. The...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...

Breathing

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...

Alveoli and Alveolar Ducts

Alveoli and Alveolar Ducts

The respiratory zone of the human body, which stands in contrast to the conducting zone, comprises the structures that actively participate in the exchange of gases. The initiation of this zone is marked by the terminal bronchioles converging into respiratory bronchioles, the tiniest bronchiole classification. The respiratory bronchioles give way to the alveolar ducts that opens into a congregation of alveoli. Actively involved in gas exchange, alveoli resemble tiny sacs similar to clusters of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Integrative Phenogroups Based on Lung Imaging and Spirometry from Young Adulthood to Midlife and Associations With Subclinical Cardiac Structure and Function.

Chest·2026

Same author

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women Treated for Breast Cancer.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

Interplay between family history and polygenic risk for coronary heart disease: A cohort study among over 60 thousand individuals.

American journal of preventive cardiology·2026

Same author

Positive predictive value of symptoms for early-onset colorectal cancer.

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·2026

Same author

Atopic Dermatitis and Markers of Early Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Adolescents.

JAMA network open·2026

Same author

Attaining LDL-cholesterol target post major coronary event: Care gap, associated factors and clinical outcomes.

American heart journal·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer

Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer

Published on: November 15, 2024

Alcohol and lung airways function.

Stanton T Siu¹, Natalia Udaltsova, Carlos Iribarren

¹Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oakland Medical Center, CA, USA. stanton.siu@kp.org

The Permanente Journal

|August 27, 2010

Summary

Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better lung function, including improved one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)) and forced vital capacity (FVC). This J-shaped relationship suggests potential benefits for lung health in moderate drinkers.

More Related Videos

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Published on: June 23, 2023

Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish

Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish

Published on: May 25, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer

Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer

Published on: November 15, 2024

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Published on: June 23, 2023

Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish

Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish

Published on: May 25, 2017

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Epidemiology
Public Health

Background:

Existing research suggests a potential link between moderate alcohol consumption and improved lung airways function.
However, previous studies often failed to adequately control for confounding factors like smoking and pre-existing coronary disease.
There was also a risk of bias from including former drinkers who quit due to illness in the non-drinker group.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and lung airways function in a large, free-living population.
To control for potential confounders, including smoking and cardiorespiratory illness.
To examine the relationship using objective lung function measurements.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 177,721 health plan members.
Alcohol intake was self-reported via questionnaire, categorizing consumption levels.
Lung function was assessed by measuring one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), and their ratio (FEV(1)/FVC), with adjustments for covariates.

Main Results:

Individuals consuming two or fewer drinks per day, and those consuming three to five drinks per day, exhibited significantly better lung airways function compared to non-drinkers (p < 0.001).
Heavier alcohol consumption was associated with worse lung function, indicating a J-shaped relationship.
This J-shaped pattern persisted across various subgroups, including those with and without reported cardiorespiratory illness.

Conclusions:

Light to moderate alcohol intake is independently associated with superior lung function (FEV(1), FVC, FEV(1)/FVC) compared to abstinence, even after accounting for smoking and cardiovascular/respiratory disease.
While causality cannot be definitively established, moderate alcohol consumption may confer some benefits to lung function.
The findings highlight a complex relationship between alcohol and respiratory health, warranting further investigation.