Tannic acid, found in grapes and wine, has been shown to inhibit two key coronavirus enzymes. Nevertheless, alcohol does not protect against Sras-Cov-2, far from it.
- Alcohol increases the number of ACE2 receptors which are the virus’ favorite target to infiltrate our cells.
- Its consumption also promotes inflammatory immune reactions which increase the risk of serious forms.
- It decreases the antibody response and contributes to the onset of diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, which increase the risk of having a severe form of infection.
Uncork a bottle of wine to avoid catching Covid-19? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Researchers at Taiwan Medical University recently found that tannic acid, found in grapes and wine in particular, effectively inhibits the activity of two key virus enzymes and prevents it from entering cell tissues. A discovery that has led some to take a shortcut a little too quickly, claiming that drinking wine protects against Covid-19.
Alcohol, dangerous for health
Alcohol would actually have the opposite effect on the infection. This type of drink increases the number of ACE2 receptors, which are the virus’ favorite target to infiltrate our cells. Its consumption also promotes inflammatory immune reactions, which increase the risk of serious forms. In addition, wines, rums or other beers reduce the antibody response and contribute to the onset of diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, which increase the risk of having a severe form of infection. In a more indirect way, excess alcohol modifies behavior and leads to less respect for barrier gestures, thus promoting the circulation and transmission of the virus.
Consuming alcohol is generally bad for your health. A recent Canadian study, published on June 15 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, has shown that even moderate alcohol consumption, in accordance with official recommendations, is dangerous. Researchers have found that more than 50% of cancers resulting from alcohol consumption occur in moderate drinkers, and that 38% of all alcohol-attributable deaths are diagnosed in former or compliant drinkers. weekly limits.
Tobacco, questions about its effects
Researchers have also pointed to potentially protective effects of tobacco. A statistical link exists: a daily smoker would have between 2 and 10 times less risk of developing the disease (in current smokers and not in former smokers). This protection would be conferred by the presence of nicotinic receptors, close to those of ACE2.
“There would exist alongside the harmful effect of tobacco on the respiratory tract, a specific paradoxical beneficial effect of nicotine which needs to be demonstrated., concluded Professor Dautzenberg, pulmonologist, quoted by Why Doctor. This protective effect only seems to attenuate the harmful effects observed for all viruses in former smokers, but in recent smokers, without damage to the respiratory tract, smoking can very paradoxically improve the course of covid-19. The explanation for this effect may be linked either to a lower penetration of viruses and a lower viral load, or to an effect on the regulation of intracellular inflammation under the effect of nicotine.”
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