Red wine can counteract harmful effects of smoking cigarettes

By Sean Dowling, Buzz60

A new study shows a glass of red wine can counteract negative short-term effects of smoking. However, that's only the case if you drink some vino before lighting up.

German researchers from the University of Saarland looked at 20 healthy non-smokers to investigate the effects of smoking on the blood and arteries.

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Half of the participants drank red wine an hour before smoking three cigarettes. The other half simply puffed without a drink.

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All participants had blood and urine samples collected before and after drinking and smoking.

The study points out smoking releases micro-particles into the bloodstream, which indicates blood vessels are being damaged.

However, those cellular changes didn't occur in those who drank red wine before lighting up.

Red wine also halted telomerase activity, which is a genetic aging process that accelerates after smoking.

Those who smoked without drinking red wine had a 56 percent decrease in telomerase activity, but by only 20% for those who drank.

Now, that's not to say red wine will totally resolve the negative effects that come with smoking.

Researchers said they are not sure if the findings would apply to regular smokers.