Red wine and cancer
Professor Tim Key, of Cancer Research UK's Cancer Epidemiology Unit, says:
"Several preliminary laboratory studies have supported plausible biological mechanisms for how components of red wine might help prevent cancer. However, there have been no large-scale studies of the effect of red wine on cancer in humans, and there is therefore no solid evidence to support the suggestion that red wine might help to prevent cancer.
"There is, however, strong evidence that regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, and oesophagus.
"Furthermore, even moderate amounts of alcohol cause a small increase in the risk for breast cancer. Women should drink no more than 2-3 units* of alcohol a day, and men no more than 3-4 units."
27 October 2004
* One unit of alcohol is a small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or lager, or a small glass of sherry or port. A standard pub measure of spirits contains around 1 1/2 units.
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