A new study published in Nutrients has debunked the idea that red wine is a healthier type of alcohol.
Scientists studied data from 42 different studies and found that red and white wine both have similar effects on cancer risk. No type of wine was found to be “safe” when it comes to preventing cancer.
Dr. Eunyoung Cho from Brown University explained, “Many people believe red wine is good for health because it contains antioxidants like resveratrol, but our research didn’t find strong proof that it lowers cancer risk.”
The study also found that white wine may increase cancer risk, especially in women. Some research even linked it to a 22% higher risk of skin cancer, though things like sun exposure could also play a role.
When looking at stronger studies, white wine showed a clearer link to cancer, while red wine did not show a big risk increase. However, drinking one glass of red wine every day was still linked to a 5% higher chance of cancer, though this was not a strong enough finding to be certain.
Dr. Brian Black, a doctor who was not involved in the study, said, “This study proves that red wine is not a ‘safe’ alcohol. The main message is that drinking alcohol in any form comes with risks.”
A spokesperson from the Cancer Prevention Alliance summed it up simply: “This study clears up common myths. The best way to lower cancer risk is to drink less alcohol.”