Old Studies: Wine Could Reduce Risk of Heart Disease… New Study: Wine May Increase Risk of Cancer…

It seems like researchers have once again put the public between a rock and a hard place.

In the past, numerous scientific studies have shown a correlation between moderate wine drinking and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Leading experts have gone as far as to define what “moderate drinking” means (males: 2 glasses per day; females: 1 glass per day)^[1]. Note that these same experts do not “recommend that you start drinking alcohol just to prevent heart disease. Alcohol can be addictive and can cause or worsen other health problems.”

But you are somewhat encouraged to drink alcohol if you can control it and maintain moderate intake levels.

So… Should you drink wine or not?

For years we have tried to educate our customers and associates against the regular use of alcohol. Drink on special occasions? Sure! Toast with champagne at the weddings and New Year’s! Drink the red wine and eat the cheeses when your in-laws are in town! But don’t kid yourself into thinking that you HAVE to drink one or two glasses with dinner, every other day because it is good for your digestion and heart.

Consistently we have tried to alert people about the dangers of moderate alcohol consumption. We have always felt alcoholic drinks may deliver more risk than benefits.

A recent study has confirmed this.^[2] It found that drinking between 3 and 6 glasses of wine per week “was associated with [a statistically significant] increased breast cancer risk”. It is no surprise to us that the researchers concluded that “low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a small increase in breast cancer risk”

Please note that the lead researcher has been quoted as saying that she doesn’t “think the take home message would be that women can’t drink at all”^[3]. Remember… We share that same point of view (as explained above during special occasions).

As we explained in Paradigm Shift: Cholesterol, wine has antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect artery walls and help prevent cholesterol from being oxidized. This is key to having a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

Alcohol, however, disrupts normal levels of estrogen. Proper hormone levels are crucial for normal body function. This sort of disruption, in even one hormone, can be devastating. In this case, it results in an increased risk of cancer.

Our Suggestion

Look for antioxidants and phytochemicals (phynutrients) elsewhere. Eat the grapes and grape seeds from which wine is made, eat more berries and other fruits and vegetables with a high antioxidant content.

Learn about our NSF-certified, standardized antioxidant supplement. Be sure to Contact us and ask for information about our NSF-certified, standardized phytochemical-packed multivitamin and multimineral supplement.

References:

[1] Mayo Clinic Staff. “Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart”.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089/NSECTIONGROUP=2
Accessed: 11/11/11

[2] Chen, W. et al. “Moderate alcohol consumption during adult life, drinking patterns, and breast cancer risk.” JAMA. 2011 Nov 2;306(17):1884-90.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22045766
Accessed: 11/11/11