Red Wine Ingredient Slows Growth of Breast Cancer Cells, Study Finds

By Elizabeth Nolan Brown for BlissTree.com

There’s been some research linking alcohol to increased risk of developing breast cancer, especially when a woman consumes two or more drinks per day. But a new report in the October 2011 issue of the FASEB journal says resveratrol, the magic ingredient thought to be responsible for so many of red wine’s health benefits, can actually stop breast cancer cells from growing by blocking the growth effects of estrogen.

During your menstrual cycle, estrogen generally triggers the proliferation of cells in the inner lining of your breasts’ milk glands. Providing you don’t get pregnant, these estrogen levels subsequently drop at the end of your cycle, and those milk gland cells deteriorate and die. Because estrogen can’t really tell the difference between normal cells and cancerous cells, though, it will cause cancerous cells to spread just like it would with regular cells. Many drugs used to treat breast cancer, then, are aimed at selectively blocking the effect of estrogen.

In this recent study, researchers treated breast cancer cells with resveratrol and compared their growth to untreated cells. The growth of those cells treated with resveratrol ended up being significantly reduced; tests showed this cell growth reduction was due to resveratrol drastically reducing estrogen receptor levels.

“These findings are exciting, but in no way does it mean that should people go out and start using red wine or resveratrol supplements as a treatment for breast cancer,” said Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of the FASEB Journal. “What it does mean, however, is that scientists haven’t finished distilling the secrets of good health that have been hidden in natural products such as red wine.”

Another study, being conducted by UK research scientists, is looking at the effect of beta blockers -- drugs normally used to treat high cholesterol and anxiety -- on breast cancer. Beta blockers may prevent the movement of cells and therefore slow the metastasis, or spread, of breast cancer cells, they say. Early research on beta blockers for breast cancer has been promising, but there are no firm results yet.

Related posts:

Think Pink: Breast Cancer Rising Fastest in Younger Women, Poorer Countries
Think Pink: Breast Cancer Deaths Shift From Rich To Poor
Think Pink: Does Antiperspirant Really Cause Breast Cause Cancer?

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Comments

[eclubsodanan]

02:06 PM on 10/11/2011

I would urge everyone to use caution before rushing out to drink red wine to prevent breast cancer. Better to eat lots of red grapes! Having worked in the field of addiction for over thirty years, and being in recovery for even more, I unfortunately have seen far too many adverse effects of alcohol on the body. Even the American Heart Association recommends that no one starts to drink red wine for health reasons, as there is such a high chance of elevated blood pressure, heart disease, esaphogeal cancer, as well as increased chance of addiction. While we are all free to pick our "poisons," why would we want to pick a poison at all? Please, just look into the ingredients in alcohol and make an informed decision.

[rosnik]

04:54 PM on 10/06/2011

T.J.s here I come!!

[Carolina Castro Parra]

11:16 AM on 10/06/2011

This is a very interesting information, I have to confess I haven't read it through but this is just a test message for a class work...

[Mrsbean54]

04:45 AM on 10/06/2011

Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes, which is why it shows up in red wine. I've read that you consume much more resveratrol from just eating the grapes than you do from drinking wine. I've seen so many articles touting the benefits of red wine, and I just wish they would mention that you can get it from eating the grapes. Alcohol in general tends to have more adverse effects on your body than benefits. I'm not criticizing people who drink red wine in moderation...I just don't really like alcohol being glamorized as a cancer cure. Somewhere, money being made is why red wine gets the news coverage and grapes don't.

[nikanj]

12:51 AM on 10/06/2011

What about hops ?
Do they have health benefits too ?

[caprawalie]

10:10 PM on 10/05/2011

If you also add spit or urine to breast cancer cells or ingredients thereof it will slow the growth of all cancer cells.......this is good news for the wine industry but any woman with or without breast cancer should not start guzzling wine based on this nonsense

[Ccouncil]

01:00 PM on 10/07/2011

Because then you'll develope stomach cancer. So damned if you do and damned if you don't. I guess don't go gulping it down like water, just in small portions is preferable.

[cozumelcuz]

09:06 PM on 10/05/2011

Wahoooo, my drink of choice anyway...

[joscicc]

07:48 PM on 10/05/2011

this lol rofl :D

[5hundie]

06:45 PM on 10/05/2011

I am one of many who suffer from "Asian Flush Reaction" (AFR), a physiological response to alcohol consumption, characterized by facial (or other bodily) flushing, rapid heart rate, and/or difficulty breathing, mostly affecting people of Asian descent. This reaction is a result of an enzymatic deficiency or mutation rendering our bodies unable to quickly metabolize converted alcohol (alcohol turns into aldehyde, aldehyde = "buzz").

I love wine and used to drink it regularly. For years I wrote off my AFR as just a nuisance and went about inbibing. I've recently changed my tune. Research on AFR is showing that AFR sufferers who drink even moderate amounts of alcohol are at higher risk of developing a gastrointestinal cancer than those who don't have AFR, due to the longer amount of time the aldehyde stays in our bodies.

Having said that, I hope the author sees my comment and considers this for future articles she and others post about the benefits of wine. I am always happy to hear about the health benefits of wine, but it's important for sufferers to know those benefits could be canceled out by increased risk of developing other types of cancers.

I'm sorry if bummed out anyone who enjoyed the article; I just feel compelled to share this with other sufferers. I didn't give my AFR a second thought until I started researching it, and now I wonder what damage I've done to myself after all these years of sipping on my glasses of wine.

[Mrsbean54]

04:49 AM on 10/06/2011

Wow, never heard of that! I'm glad you are aware of the condition...seems like with those symptoms it would go unnoticed in a lot of people. I posted above about resveratro­l; thought you might be interested. You can get it by eating red grapes...no need to drink the wine :)

[5hundie]

11:16 AM on 10/06/2011

Thanks for sharing your bit about the grapes. Since I love to eat grapes and drink grap juice, I can share in the health benefits after all!

[bonnieb333]

06:25 PM on 10/05/2011

YEA!

No wonder I don't have breast cancer!!!

[starstrz]

05:39 PM on 10/05/2011

I was really hoping it was going to be Vodka this time...

[hootie1fan]

05:08 PM on 10/05/2011

I love my Pinot Noir

[Just Stop Eating So Much]

04:57 PM on 10/05/2011

Fascinating results from this study that just goes to show that nature's most natural ingredients can often be our health's best friend.

[probo]

02:26 PM on 10/05/2011

I had breast cancer.....had the lump removed and lympthnodes from that side of my body,....no chemo and no radiation,..I turned those down. I have been drinking red wine for years and eating red and dark green veggies and fruits for years. I have never felt better and never had the energy that I have now....keep your weight down....walk a lot....keep your mind as positive as possible....I do not take any medications...aside from herbal....All I can say is that it seems to be working for me...i'm either very lucky or just doing something right.Stay strong and fight...;)

[vallontina]

03:31 PM on 10/05/2011

That's terrific! I wish you continued good health! :>)

[Just Stop Eating So Much]

04:57 PM on 10/05/2011

Sounds like you have a terrific attitude. Thanks for the share -- and the inspiration.

[americasmuseum]

02:22 PM on 10/05/2011

Wine is good, wine is bad. Sugar is good, sugar is bad. Aspirin is good, aspirin is bad. Chocolate is good, chocolate is bad. Microwaves are good, microwaves are bad... and so on.
Every day a new stupidity.
And be aware that "Stupidity cannot be fixed" as comedian Ron White says.

[Miss Juarez]

12:59 PM on 10/06/2011

I really think it all comes down to genes. Why is it that some people can drink themselves to their 80s, 90s, while others that are super fit get cancer? It's just not fair.