According to reports, alcohol consumption raises the risk of breast cancer except in the case of red wine consumption. This is according to research done by Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
The authors stated that this had much to do with the chemical construction of the red grape skins and seeds which appears to reduce estrogen levels and raise testosterone among premenopausal women thus reducing the breast cancer risk, the report stated. This likely contradicts the belief that the widespread use of any alcoholic drinks pose a risk for breast cancer increase.
According to reports, the study found that “premenopausal women who consumed eight ounces of red wine every evening for approximately a month, had lower estrogen and higher testosterone levels. They tried out the same with another group of women, but they had to consume white wine – it did not have the same effect.”
Moderate wine consumption
Co-author, of the study Chrisandra Shufelt, MD, said, “If you were to have a glass of wine with dinner, you may want to consider a glass of red. Switching may shift your risk.” The study examined 36 premenopausal females. They were randomly selected into two groups:
- The red wine group (Cabernet Sauvignon)
- The white wine group (Chardonnay)
The ladies examined all drank eight ounces of their designated wine every evening. In the second month, the wines were swapped. Thereafter blood was collected from each participant to check hormone levels. “The scientists wanted to find out the ingredients of red wine might imitate what aromatase inhibitors do. Aromatase inhibitors are drugs that inhibit aromatase, an enzyme which is involved in estrogen levels”. These inhibitors are used in breast cancer therapy.
They found that red wine lowers estrogen levels, which in turn should stem cancer cell growth. They added that test tube studies had indicated the same thing.
White wine lacks protective elements
Co-author Glenn D. Braunstein, MD, said that the white wines lacked the protective elements but this did not necessarily indicate that white wine was in any way increases breast cancer risk.
“There are chemicals in red grape skin and red grape seeds that are not found in white grapes that may decrease breast cancer risk.”
Braunstein said that further study must be done in order to determine how safe red wine really is in breast cancer prevention.
