Researchers suggest that even men who smoke may cut their risk of lung cancer if they drink one to two glasses of red wine daily, HealthDay News reported Oct. 7.

Led by Chun Chao of Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research and Evaluation, researchers looked at data on 84,170 men who participated in the California Men's Health Study. Of these, 210 had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Researchers found that each glass of red wine consumed per month was associated with a 2 percent average drop in lung-cancer risk. Men who drank one to two glasses of red wine daily reduced their risk of lung cancer by 60 percent. Drinking white wine, beer or liquor was not associated with any decrease in risk.

Researchers were quick to note that the findings have not been replicated and that previous studies have shown red wine can increase risk of other cancers. "Even men [who smoke and] who drink one of two glasses of red wine per day still face a greater risk of lung cancer than do nonsmokers," Chao said. "This study should not be used as an excuse to drink more red wine. Moderation is always the best course."

Th study was published in the October 2008 issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.