Red wine - effective prophylaxis of prostate cancer
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Scientists from Spain recently discovered that the treatment of prostate cancer has always been nearby. As it turned out, in order to avoid the development of this unpleasant disease a man should regularly drink red wine in small quantities.
The benefits of red wine for the prevention of prostate cancer have been known for a long time. In the Netherlands, experts found that if you drink 15 grams or more of wine a day, the probability of developing prostate cancer is reduced by 18%. Similar results were also obtained in the course of other studies, which were conducted no less than seventeen.
Studies that took place in the 90s showed that the skin of dark grapes has a large amount of resveratrol (polyphenolic compound), through which red wine is known for its powerful protective properties. White grapes contain much less of this compound. Resveratrol is also found in raspberries, peanuts, which are included in the diet for heart and vascular diseases. Now resveratrol can be found in pharmacies as a biologically active supplement to nutrition.
A new study was conducted by American scientists, as a result of which it became clear that red wine significantly reduces the likelihood of developing a cancerous tumor of the prostate, especially its aggressive form. In the course of the research project, more than 700 patients were questioned, for the first time they diagnosed prostate cancer. As a control group, absolutely healthy men were taken. Participants were between the ages of 40 and 64. Also, specialists took into account the size of alcohol consumption, risk factors (smoking, heredity, etc.). As a result, scientists came to the conclusion that men who drank 3-4 glasses of red wine a week on average were 50% less likely to develop a malignant tumor (the risk of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer was reduced by 60%).
At this stage, scientists plan to conduct a new study to confirm the results of the previous one. Also, they have already planned studies in the laboratory to study the effect of resveratrol on malignant prostate formation in rodents.
According to available data, resveratrol removes free radicals from the body, blocks enzymes that promote the growth of cancer cells, reduces the level of male sex hormones that provoke tumor growth, accelerates the process of destruction and release of the body from cancer cells.
Now scientists believe that the use of a reasonable dose of red wine is an excellent prophylaxis for prostate cancer. Some studies have shown that the components of red wine (by the assumption of scientists polyphenols) inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and also to some extent destroy them. The words of scientists confirm the fact that among the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, where red wine is a famous and favorite drink, it is extremely rare to diagnose prostate cancer in men. In addition, the inhabitants of the Mediterranean countries eat more fruits and vegetables, less meat, while the consumption of red wine they have twice as much than the northern Europeans.
[