An interesting study of some 2,300 patients undergoing colonoscopies revealed a not-so-surprising result: Those who drank beer and spirits had a higher risk of suffering from colorectal tumors.
In fact, those who drank heavy amounts of beer or other alcoholic beverages doubled their risk of developing significant tumors. Among the other risk factors identified for colon cancer in the study:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Being older than age 60
On the other hand, those who drank wine in moderate amounts cut their risk of colon cancer by half compared to those who abstained from drinking any alcohol. Moreover, scientists believe the high levels of antioxidants found in red wine -- probably from the skin of the grape -- are what makes the difference.
That said, I don't advise drinking red wine at all, as I believe the alcohol is a poison that will unbalance your hormones. In fact, you may indeed do more for your health by eating the skins from organic grapes and pass up the meat of the grape -- which has no resveratrol but a lot of extra fructose -- altogether.
American Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol. 100, No. 9. September 2005: 2049
MSNBC September 20, 2005