Do Red Wine and Breast Cancer mix?

Jackie Clark – Contributing Writer

Ever hear anyone say red wine and breast cancer don’t mix? I bet not, let’s find out why. . .

Red wine enjoys a lofty reputation as a drink for any purpose or occasion. Whether it’s a casual mealtime drink, fun with friends, relaxation or a gift, red wine is very popular. Red wine may have always been popular, but in recent years, it has become more so. Because of a compound found in red wine called resveratrol, preventing and fighting cancer will be red wine’s next role.

Scientists have identified the chemical responsible for this, called resveratrol. It has been found to have a beneficial impact other aspects of health such as prevention of heart disease, maintaining the immune system and reducing stress. With all that it does for health, it seems that anticancer activity should fit right in.

Red Wine and Breast Cancer

Having resveratrol in the form of red wine could potentially aid against pain, stress and depression in people with cancers that have a poor prognosis like mesothelioma. Indeed, consuming reasonable amounts of red wine could aid any cancer patient or survivor by reducing pain, stress and depression.

Reveratrol’s Benefits

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound that is found in more than just red wine. It is in peanuts, grapes, blueberries, chocolate and yucca plant. Studies have found that although these things do contain resveratrol, the richest food source remains red wine.

Since resveratrol is found in many every day things, this is good line of defense for those that enjoy red wine. And breast cancer, then, becomes a smaller concern.

If you prefer not to consume alcohol, there are many quality non-alcoholic wines, gourmet grape juices and resveratrol supplements widely and affordably available on the market. Supplements are most commonly found in capsule form, which are convenient and fast to take. Since it is an antioxidant, we do recommend you look for a source that is individually wrapped and free from oxygen. A typical pill bottle offers little value.

Red Wine and Breast Cancer Prevention

Resveratrol prevents and fights breast cancer in several ways. One way is by antioxidant power. Since it is such a potent antioxidant, resveratrol controls cancer causing free radicals that cause oxidative damage to the cells in your body.

Another way it fights cancer is by actively damaging cancerous cells, making them more vulnerable to the desired effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Some people suffering from cancer have reported that taking resveratrol also helped to alleviate some of the unpleasant side effects of treatment.

Resveratrol actively fights cancer by hindering their ability to function in a way beneficial to them (and detrimental to you). Fascinatingly, resveratrol causes cancerous cells to commit suicide. This is because it inhibits a certain protein that the cells rely on for nourishment.

Resveratrol shows a lot of benefit in breast cancer by preventing the conversion of estrogen into DNA damaging substances. It also kept the cells from proliferating. Cancer proliferation, or metastasis, is one of the most common causes of death related to breast cancer. Other studies have shown a similar anti-proliferation effect on prostate and pancreatic cancers.

So I would say that red wine and breast cancer are a great mix. 🙂


Contributing Writer Bio: Jackie joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2009 as research assistant after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in fitness and nutrition. Jackie’s experience in technical and medical research has allowed her to assist in the development of medical content and outreach efforts, with specializations in alternative care, cancer support programs, and social media campaigns.


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