Can Drinking More Wine Prevent Sunburn? [UPDATED]

An article in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry asserts that drinking wine may actually help prevent sunburns. According to the study, the flavonoids present in grapes can stop the chemical reaction that causes cells to die, which is what causes skin damage. The study was conducted in vitro in a laboratory by the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council.

Grapes, therefore, can help protect from sunburn and even skin cancer, says the director of the research project. Cabernet Sauvignon skin cream, anyone?

Note: This study doesn't change the fact that drinking wine can make your face red, or that if you drink wine in the sun you might fall asleep, and thus get sunburned anyway.

UPDATE: The study may be too good to be true. A blog post written by a PhD student in Medical Sciences and Molecular Pharmacology explains, "The research paper discusses potential topical applications for these extracts (putting these concentrated extracts on your skin) NOT benefits from eating grapes or drinking wine." Also see this blog post for another explanation.

Comments

[LolaLollipop]

12:55 AM on 08/03/2011

Red Wine Comic Strip: http://lolalollipop.com/173-red-wine-sunscreen

[JerryMerry]

07:42 PM on 08/02/2011

This explains why I never got sunburned during 30 yrs of ocean sailing. I drink 2-3 glasses of red wine every day and have for many, many years.. Might also add that at 72 my skin is still in good shape. Coincidentally, it's Spanish wine that I drink.

[Paul Houston]

01:40 PM on 08/02/2011

Yes it will! Just don't bother barbecuing yourself in the sun, sit in a shady place with a glass of wine instead.

[mellene]

10:42 AM on 08/02/2011

I'm easily prone to a sunburn, but never expected that a glass of wine would help eleviate getting burned.

[sbmulqueen]

08:52 PM on 08/01/2011

You had me at "Drinking more wine."

[stepheniegwen]

04:23 PM on 08/01/2011

Finally! Some good news...

[Max Shaw]

01:25 PM on 08/01/2011

This just does not sound credible. You would probably need to drink a whole mess of wine first of all, and second of all....you would be so drunk that lying out in the sun would probably just dehydrate you further.