In 1991, the news show 60 Minutes aired a story about the possible beneficial effects on health from red wine consumption.  Many see that segment as the launch of the modern day wine boom, one scientific study after another citing the potential benefits of light to moderate wine consumption, especially reds.

Red wine contains the antioxidant resveratrol, a compound believed to play an influential role in cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic health.  Scientific studies pointing to potential risk reduction have been conducted targeting strokes, heart inflammation, dementia and mental performance, diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, non-fatty liver disease, renal (kidney) cell carcinoma, erectile dysfunction and certain categories of cancer such as pancreatic, colon, prostate, lung and leukemia.  At the same time, controversy continues over the possible effects of alcohol on breast cancer development, some studies demonstrating an increased risk.  Other studies have cited possible benefits in strengthening bones in osteoporosis and in reducing the impact of some lifestyle impairing disabilities.  Now hold on to your wine glass because it has just cracked!!

A recently released study by the University of Oxford in England and published in the March 4th issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute claims that its results point to a raised risk of some cancers, even with light alcohol consumption.  The specific cancers cited are breast, liver, rectal, pharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal.  (At this time, I have no information on the specific cellular histology of the cancers).  Interestingly enough, the increased risk of mouth, throat and esophageal cancer was much more prevalent in current smokers.  As well, they cited that alcohol consumption seemed to be associated with a reduction in the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, some types of thyroid cancer and renal cell carcinoma.

The study examined cancer rates of 1.28 million women aged 50-64 in the United Kingdom who had attended breast cancer screenings throughout the country from 1996-2001.  The women completed questionnaires documenting weekly drinking and smoking habits, and socio-demographic information.  The researchers documented the development of cancer in those groups in the seven years after they completed the questionnaire.  The results pointed toward an elevated risk of pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, liver, rectal and breast cancer.  The risk increased for each drink of alcohol per day.  Definitions used for a single serving of alcohol were 5 oz for wine, a half pint of beer, or a one oz shot of spirits.  The women were asked to document how many servings of alcohol they consumed in an average week.  Over the ensuing seven years, 68,775 women were diagnosed with the cited cancers.   These results, according to the researchers, equate to at least an additional 15 women per 1000 who developed the studied cancers, some of which may have been preventable through alcohol abstinence.  It is also noteworthy that while alcohol intake resulted in an increase in the fore- mentioned cancers, wine consumers saw just a 1% increase risk of liver cancer versus 33% for mixed beverage consumption while wine intake actually seemed to reduce the risk of colon cancer in contrast to the mixed beverage population.  As well, it is very important to note that the analysis was preformed in a population of drinkers only and that the risks cited were for an additional drink consumed per day.  While the study did track the rate of cancer amongst non-drinkers, they were grouped with former drinkers.  This is pertinent in that former drinkers may have ceased alcohol intake due to illness and thus could constitute a biased group.  Finally, keep in mind that this study did not compared alcohol consumers with those who have never imbibed.

The results of this study has prompted some very strong language from reputable health organizations.  Representatives of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md have cautioned that no level of alcohol consumption should be considered safe.  The British NHS suggests consuming less than 2-3 glasses of wine per day to avoid binge drinking.  The French government Ministry of Health states that “ consumption of alcohol, especially wine, is discouraged” while the French National Cancer Institute (INCA) concludes that even a small daily dose of alcohol can increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer by as much as 168%.  They go on to state that there is no amount of alcohol which is good for you.  Not surprisingly, the study has been received skeptically from others.  Roger Corder, professor of experimental therapeutics at the William Harvey Research Institute in London and author of the Wine Diet and expert on health benefits of wine said that he was surprised by the INCA report.  Others have labeled the results as scaremongery about the risks of wine moderate wine consumption while the Wine Lobby in France has expectedly expressed outrage.  There have also been some critiques about methodology (which I will leave to the epidemiologists and statisticians).  For example, while weekly wine intake was documented, some question whether that can be translated into daily consumption.  Does one serving of wine per day equate to one binge day consuming seven servings?  With so much on the line in terms of human health, what is a reasonable approach, as a wine consumer, to this study?

As a retired physician, I believe that you have to give every study its due.  For me, that translates into neither blindly accepting nor refuting any scientifically based study until it has been reviewed and dissected by professionals with expertise in related disciplines, in this case epidemiology, statistics and oncology (the study of cancers).   We have before us a litany of studies that seem to support the potential benefits of responsible wine consumption conflicting with the results of the current study.  Might it be possible that there are both benefits AND risks?  Before I jump to any conclusive actions, I really want to see more discussion about the recent results and whether there are any additional studies planned or ongoing.  As well, I would like to see more conclusive studies on the beneficial effects of wine.

Each of us must take our own path here.  Some will continue present alcohol consumption patterns while some will modify or perhaps even cease consumption.  If the current study results gives you reason for pause, you might wish to consult with your physician in order to lay out a plan that seems responsible to both you.  Either way, this study cannot and should not be ignored.  It might be tempting, as a dedicated wine consumer, to pooh-pooh the results.  I can understand that feeling as a passionate wine consumer.  But what if the results were to be validated by future studies?  Might you feel differently then?   No….this study should be met head on with respect and further investigation in order to reach statistically valid conclusions.  Otherwise, we are basing our actions upon partial truths.  As this is a sensitive issue, I would like to hear your opinion.  Does this study alter your feelings about wine consumption?

Tags: alcohol, antioxidant, cancer, drinking, reveratrol, smoking, wine consumption