Is drinking wine good for the heart or does it cause cancer?

A new report published recently warns against regular consumption of alcohol, claiming that its consumption can lead to cancer. This argument contradicts everything we have been told for years by various heart health experts. According to previous studies, drinking a glass of red wine, for example, has been shown to help heart health and prevent vascular diseases. So what is really true and do the benefits of alcohol justify the risks hidden in it? Dr. Dana Florentin, a family medicine specialist of the General Hospital in the Dan district – Pet. makes arrangements.What is the connection between alcohol and cancer?

 

In recent years, many studies have shown that alcohol increases the risk of various types of cancer. It is not only about excessive drinking, but also about moderate drinking. By the way, according to Dr. Florentin, the risk is not necessarily related to the type of alcohol – wine, beer, or other spirits.

 

“The explanation for this is that alcohol affects the biological processes in the body in several ways,” explains Dr. “First, it leads totoxic decomposition products: The alcohol (ethanol) breaks down in the body into acetaldehyde – a toxic substance known to be carcinogenic. Acetaldehyde damages DNA and its natural repair processes, which leads to the development of cancerous tumors. Studies in mice and rats have shown that exposure to ethanol or acetaldehyde causes an increase in the number of tumors in several organs in the body, which illustrates the risk in humans as well.”

 

 

 

In fact, leading health organizations in the world, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), already agree that alcohol consumption is a definite carcinogen. Dr. Florentine states that it increases the chance of getting seven types of cancer:

• breast cancer (in women)
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, and pharynx

Epidemiological evidence

The doctor notes that studies have shown that even one glass of alcohol a day increases the risk of cancer. For example, in women who drink one glass a day, the risk of breast cancer increases by about 10%. The risk of oral cancer increases by about 40% in people who drink one glass a day for several years.

 

 

 

“Many studies conducted in recent decades have emphasized the link between alcohol consumption and cancer,” explains Dr. Florentin. Another meta-analysis of 26 studies showed a 40% increase in the risk of oral cancer among people who drank a glass of alcohol a day, compared to those who did not. An analysis of data from 20 groups that included more than a million women also found a 10% increase in the chance of getting breast cancer among women who drank one cup a day. In addition, a global study conducted in 195 countries and including 28 million participants found that alcohol consumption at high levels is associated with a significant increase in the risk of cancer.”

So – is alcohol good for the heart or does it lead to cancer?

As mentioned, in the past there was a lot of talk about how red wine can help heart health, and this made many believe that moderate drinking is healthy. However, today the studies show a more complex picture: “Wine may have a small positive effect on the heart, but these benefits are not enough to justify the damage it causes,” states Dr. Florentin. “Bottom line – the risk of cancer and other diseases, even in small amounts of Alcohol outweighs the possible benefits for the heart.”

Moreover, she says that it is important to take into account the fact that the same benefits for the heart can be achieved in other ways, such as through a healthy diet, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

 

 

 

Finally, the doctor clarifies: “Any amount of alcohol increases the chance of getting cancer, and the risk increases the more you drink. Many people choose to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink or avoid it altogether, especially if they have a family history of cancer. Sometimes people drink to overcome other problems, such as Difficulty falling asleep at night or wanting to ‘let loose’ socially, but you can try to treat these problems in other ways such as mindfulness, CBT, drinking soothing herbal teas, naturopathy, biofeedback and more”.

If you do drink, she recommends doing so in moderation and being aware of the risks. “As mentioned, alcohol is a significant risk factor for cancer, even in small amounts. The choice of whether to drink is personal, but it is important to make an informed decision based on the latest information.”