Cancer Prevention and Red Wine
Red wine is a rich source of biologically active phytochemicals, chemicals found in
plants. Particular compounds called polyphenols found in red wine, such as
catechins and resveratrol, are thought to have anti oxidant or anti cancer
properties.
What are polyphenols and how do they prevent cancer?
Polyphenols are antioxidant
compounds found in the skin and seeds of grapes. When wine is made from these
grapes, the alcohol produced by the fermentation process dissolves the polyphenols contained in the skin and seeds. Red wine
contains more polyphenols than white wine because the making of white wine
requires the removal of the skins after the grapes are crushed. The phenols in
red wine include catechin, gallic acid, and epicatechin.
Polyphenols have been found to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are
substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by molecules called
free radicals. These chemicals can damage important parts of cells, including
proteins, membranes, and
DNA. Cellular damage caused by free
radicals has been implicated in the development of cancer. Research on the antioxidants found in
red wine has shown that they
may help inhibit the development of certain
cancers.
What is resveratrol and how does it prevent cancer?
Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol called a phytoalexin, a
class of compounds produced as part of a plant's defense system against disease. It is
produced in the plant in response to an invading fungus, stress, injury, infection, or ultraviolet irradiation. Red wine contains high levels of
resveratrol, as do grapes, raspberries, peanuts, and other plants.
Resveratrol has been shown to reduce tumor incidence in animals by affecting
one or more stages of cancer development. It has been shown to inhibit growth of
many types of cancer cells in culture. Evidence also exists that it can reduce
inflammation. It also reduces activation of NF kappa B, a protein produced by
the body's immune system when it is under attack. This protein affects cancer
cell growth and metastasis. Resveratrol is also an antioxidant.
What have red wine studies found?
The cell and animal studies of red wine have examined
effects in several cancers including leukemia, skin , breast, and prostate cancers . Scientists are
studying resveratrol to learn more about its cancer preventive activities.
Recent evidence from animal studies suggests this anti-inflammatory compound may
be an effective chemopreventive agent in three stages of the cancer process:
initiation, promotion, and progression.
However, studies of the
association between red wine consumption and cancer
in humans are in their initial stages. Although consumption of large amounts of
alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of some cancers, there is growing
evidence that the health benefits of red wine are related to its nonalcoholic
components.
For more information, please visit the following MedicineNet.com areas:
Portions of the above information has been provided with the kind permission
of the
National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health (www.nci.nih.gov/).
Last Editorial Review: 6/9/2003
Cancer RSS