Red Wine’s Cancer-Fighting Reputation Debunked: Study

New research from Brown University analyzing 96,000 participants found no evidence that red wine reduces cancer risk compared to white wine.

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The common belief that red wine is healthier than white wine in terms of cancer risk may not hold up under scrutiny.

The meta-analysis of studies through December 2023, published in Nutrients, involved nearly 96,000 participants across 42 observational studies and found “no clear evidence that red wine mitigates cancer risk.”

The findings revealed “no significant difference” in cancer risk between red and white wine overall, Eunyoung Cho, associate professor of epidemiology and dermatology at Brown University and co-lead author, said in a statement. However, white wine was linked to a higher risk of skin cancer, unlike red wine.

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While red wine has often been lauded for its antioxidant content, especially resveratrol, a comprehensive analysis of numerous studies reveals a more complex picture, as per the new research from Brown University. Previous studies have linked resveratrol with anti-cancer properties.

White Wine Linked to Increased Cancer Risk

Drinking white wine has been linked to a 22 percent increased risk of skin cancer compared to red wine. However, the reasons for this association remain unclear, according to Cho and her team. They suggested that heavy wine consumption might correlate with behaviors that increase the risk of skin cancer, such as indoor tanning and inadequate sunscreen use.

The findings also indicated that wine intake—both red and white, was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. According to the study, this may suggest that resveratrol, a compound found in wine, is not a “significant factor in breast carcinogenesis.”

Additionally, the meta-analysis unveiled a more prominent connection between white wine intake and elevated cancer risk among women. This finding has prompted researchers to call for further investigation into potential underlying reasons for this trend.

Globally, excessive alcohol consumption in 2020, the latest year for which worldwide data is available, was linked to more than 740,000 cancer cases, accounting for 4.1 percent of all cases. The ethanol in alcoholic drinks is known to break down into harmful compounds that can damage DNA and proteins, increasing cancer risks.

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The World Health Organization recommends zero alcohol intake.

While wine contains antioxidants like resveratrol, red wine’s advantages are often overstated, and the amounts of antioxidants are too small to make a significant difference.

According to researchers, their analysis has some important limitations to consider. Wine drinking data was based on self-reported drinking habits, which can introduce inaccuracies. Additionally, some studies required participants to recall their past drinking behaviors, a method that can be unreliable.

While researchers focused on more dependable study designs, such studies were scarce for specific types of cancer. Furthermore, the analysis of varying levels of alcohol consumption was constrained by limited data.

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Dr. Nzinga Harrison, co-founder and chief medical officer at Eleanor Health, told The Epoch Times that the bottom line is: “While one drink here and there might be fine, drinking regularly can harm your health in ways you might not see coming. Keep it in moderation!”

Common Misconception About Wine and Health Benefits

“A large portion” of the public incorrectly believes that because wine has antioxidants and resveratrol, it inherently has health benefits, Alicia Molina, certified alcohol and drug counselor at Clear Behavioral Health in California, told The Epoch Times. “However,” she added, “experts suggest that there are more well-balanced and reliable ways to receive those bodily benefits.”

Molina pointed out that the downsides of drinking outweigh any health-enhancing qualities found in wine.

She noted that resveratrol is also found in grapes and that antioxidants are widely available in fruits and vegetables. While even moderate alcohol consumption has adverse side effects, one could achieve similar nutritional benefits by eating a healthy meal that includes beans and broccoli, according to Molina.

Wine and Heart Health: An Alternative Perspective

The idea that red wine is good for our hearts comes from studies of populations that drink moderately, Catherine Gervacio, a registered dietitian and certified exercise nutrition coach, told The Epoch Times.

“But it’s not the wine itself that has this benefit,” she said. “It’s the overall lifestyle. Many of these people also eat healthy, exercise, and have lower stress levels.” The important thing to understand is that it’s “all about balance.”

“Thinking of alcohol as healthy is a bit of a trap,” she noted. “It’s not a health food. It is simply a social or lifestyle choice.”