Every 10 grams of this drink daily increases cancer risk by 5%
A drink that increases the risk of cancer has been named (photo: Freepik)
Even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing cancer. One popular drink has been found to be particularly dangerous, as it raises the cancer risk by 5%. Which alcoholic beverage is it, and why does it have such an effect on the body - a study published in the journal Nutrients reveals details.
Which drink increases cancer risk
Researchers found that every additional 10 grams of ethanol (for example, about one glass) of red wine consumed daily was linked to a 5% increase in the overall risk of cancer.
The only difference they observed was that white wine increased the risk of skin cancer.
"Our findings provided a critical public health message that drinking red wine may not be any better than drinking white wine in terms of cancer risk," the researchers said.
Despite red wine often being advertised for its high content of polyphenols and resveratrol — compounds identified as anticancer agents — it turns out that the alcohol content may negate these benefits.
The anticancer properties of resveratrol lead it to break down so quickly that an average 70 kg person would need to consume two glasses of red wine a day to achieve barely detectable levels of it in the body.
Red wine contains sugar and can disrupt glucose metabolism, which is particularly dangerous for individuals with diabetes or those prone to insulin resistance.
Even "healthy" alcohol in moderate amounts can lead to addiction and contribute to the development of alcohol dependency.
Non-alcoholic alternatives
If you want to replace alcohol with something tasty and healthy, there are many alternatives that can provide a similar flavor without negative health effects.
Non-alcoholic alternatives include:
- Non-alcoholic wine or beer: preserves the taste of the drink but contains no alcohol.
- Cocktails based on sparkling water: mix mineral water with lime juice, lemon, or berry puree for a refreshing taste.
- Kombucha: a naturally fermented tea with a light tang that can resemble champagne or cider.
- Fresh juices and smoothies: natural fruit and vegetable drinks full of vitamins and antioxidants.
You may also be interested in:
- 6 healthiest types of juices to choose from in the store.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
