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Researchers have found that men who drink an average
of four to seven glasses of red wine per week are only
52% as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as
those who do not drink red wine, reports the June 2007
issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch.
In addition, red wine appears particularly protective
against advanced or aggressive cancers.
Researchers in Seattle collected information about
many factors that might influence the risk of prostate
cancer in men between ages 40 and 64, including alcohol
consumption. At first the results for alcohol consumption
seemed similar to the findings of many earlier studies:
There was no relationship between overall consumption
and risk.
Scientists went one step further by evaluating each
type of alcoholic beverage independently. Here the news
was surprising -- wine drinking was linked to a reduced
risk of prostate cancer. And when white wine was compared
with red, red had the most benefit. Even low amounts
seemed to help, and for every additional glass of red
wine per week, the relative risk declined by 6%.
Why red wine? Doctors don't know. But much of the speculation
focuses on chemicals -- including various flavonoids
and resveratrol -- missing from other alcoholic beverages.
These components have antioxidant properties, and some
appear to counterbalance androgens, the male hormones
that stimulate the prostate.
Many doctors are reluctant to recommend drinking alcohol
for health, fearing that their patients might assume
that if a little alcohol is good, a lot might be better.
The Harvard Men's Health Watch notes that men who enjoy
alcohol and can drink in moderation and responsibly
may benefit from a lower risk of heart attack, stroke,
diabetes, and cardiac death.
Source: http://sev.prnewswire.com
Also visit Website: http://www.health.harvard.edu/men
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