Lifestyle
Wine Lovers Rejoice: New Study Finds Your Favorite Glass Won’t Raise Cancer Risk, But There’s More to Know
While the U.S. Surgeon General warns against any alcohol consumption due to its link to several cancer types, wine remains a popular choice for many who enjoy its taste and potential health benefits. Specifically, red wine has often been touted for its heart-friendly properties, thanks to antioxidants like polyphenols. According to Mayo Clinic, “Antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may help protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart.” One such polyphenol, resveratrol, found in the skin of grapes used to make red wine, has been shown to potentially lower LDL cholesterol and prevent blood clots.
Despite these benefits, recent research indicates that the choice between red and white wine might not significantly impact cancer risk overall. A study published in the journal Nutrients analyzed 42 observational studies with nearly 96,000 participants to understand the effects of wine on cancer risk. The findings were clear: “There is no clear evidence that red wine mitigates cancer risk” and “There is no overall increase to cancer risk from consuming wine, regardless of type.”
However, the study did highlight some exceptions. White wine was associated with a 22 percent increased risk of skin cancer compared to red wine. Previous studies have linked white wine to invasive melanoma, possibly due to acetaldehyde, a compound that makes the skin more sensitive to UV light. Yet, the study noted, “it may not explain why white wine specifically was associated with skin cancer risk.”
In addition, white wine consumption was linked to a 26 percent higher cancer risk among women, whereas red wine showed a 9 percent lower cancer risk for women, though this was not statistically significant. Both red and white wine were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, suggesting that resveratrol might not play a significant role in breast carcinogenesis.
While the debate over wine’s health effects continues, separate research suggests that moderate wine consumption, especially with meals, could be beneficial for cardiovascular health. A study in the European Heart Journal found that drinking between half a glass and a full glass of wine daily with meals reduced the risk of cardiovascular complications by 50 percent. However, this protective effect vanishes with excessive consumption or when wine is consumed between meals.
“There is no doubt that excessive alcohol consumption has serious health consequences,” the researchers stated. “However, the effects of moderate and responsible wine consumption are still the subject of debate in the scientific community. The results of this study and others should help to place moderate wine consumption in its rightful place as an element of the Mediterranean diet, considered to be the healthiest in the world.”
The Nutrients study also emphasized that “Alcohol—specifically, the ethanol in alcoholic beverages—metabolizes into compounds that damage DNA and proteins, contributing to cancer risk.” In 2020, excessive alcohol consumption was linked to more than 740,000 cancer cases worldwide, accounting for 4.1% of all cases.
In conclusion, while moderate wine consumption might offer cardiovascular benefits, it does not appear to significantly impact cancer risk overall, though white wine may increase the risk of skin cancer. As always, moderation is key to balancing the potential benefits and risks associated with wine consumption.
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