Wine & Health: Wine Spectator
KEEPING THE FLU AWAY
By Kim Marcus
Researchers at the University of South Carolina say that a chemical found abundantly in red wine, apples and onions helps protect against influenza, especially after a rigorous respiratory workout, when the body is more susceptible to infection. The chemical, a polyphenol called quercetin, is a known anti-inflammatory found in the skins of fruit and vegetables.
Prior studies have theorized that quercetin helps reduce lung inflammation and inhibits the growth of prostate cancer. The specific anti-viral properties of quercetin remain unknown, but researchers speculate that the compound may block the ability of the influenza virus to replicate itself.