Red Wine and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet

Key Points

• Research on the antioxidants found in red wine has shown that they may help inhibit the development of certain cancers (see Question 1).
• 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 (see Question 2).
• 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 (see Question 3).

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 antioxidant or anticancer properties.

Read More…