Red Wine Appears To Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

It’s true, at least generally true, that drinking alcohol can jack up the risk of breast cancer. But now comes research suggesting that red wine can actually reduce the risk. A Cedars-Sinai news release reports that researchers at the hospital studied 36 women who were randomized to drink either Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay daily for almost a month, then switch to the other type of wine. Blood was collected twice each month to measure hormone levels. The researchers found that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes slightly lowered estrogen levels while elevating testosterone among premenopausal women who drank eight ounces of red wine nightly for about a month. The evidence persuaded the scientists that red wine mimics the effects of aromatase inhibitors, which play a key role in managing estrogen levels, and are  used to treat breast cancer. And the bad news? The white wine did nothing. Read more from Cedars-Sinai.