In previous years, the benefits of red wine in preventing cancer has been celebrated. Recently, however, scientists have found out that red wine may also increase one's risk for developing cancer in the head and the neck as well as a cancerous condition called Fanconi Anemia.
Red wine's cancer fighting properties are attributed to a natural polyphenol called "resveratrol" which is found in great quantities in the skin of grapes. This polyphenol is an anti-oxidant that has been found to reduce the risk not only of cancer but also of heart disease.
Aside from its internal benefits to the human body, resveratrol is also well-loved for its anti-aging properties. Such that women are known to apply red wine on their face and neck in lieu of the conventional skin toner.
As a cancer-fighting agent, resveratrol triggers apoptosis (programmed cancer cell death) in human cells that have defective DNA. Such cells, when not arrested, multiply can cause the development of cancers on the certain body part where they flourish.
Resveratrol, then, is very beneficial for those who are at risk of developing cancer as suggested by familial inheritance or by high risk lifestyle practices.
Recently, however, the alcohol content in red wine has been found to trigger the development of DNA cross-links. DNA cross-links cause the development of cancer cells which, if not eliminated through apoptosis, will cause cancer. This is especially in the case of Fanconi Anemia.
Fanconi Anemia is an alcohol-caused cancer where partially metabolized alcohol is the culprit.
In the metabolism of alcohol, the body converts alcohol to acetyl aldehyde. Under normal circumstances, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the body converts it further to acetic acid.
However, in the event when the body lacks ALDH the metabolism process halts. Only acetyl aldehyde remains. This compound has been found by scientists to cause cross links in the human DNA.
As Fanconi Anemia in an inherited blood disease. Such that its presence in one's familial relations and the lack of ALDH in the body which arrests full alcohol metabolism gives rise to the disease.
And so while red wine nor any of its innate components are not directly carcinogenic, those who are at high risk for cancers (especially Fanconi Anemia and cancers in the head and neck) are advised to be very mindful of limiting their alcohol intake.