does alcohol prevent cancer or cause cancer?

Question

i've heard a lot of things even on the news that an occasional beer or glass of wine can help prevent cancer. well i was in california and i saw a sign in a restaraunt that said something like "warning: alcoholic beverages may cause cancer". i was wondering which was true?

Answer 1

You're right about the studies showing that an occasional glass of beer or wine preventing cancer -- specifically, one glass of red wine a night has been shown to help prevent prostate cancer in men in one study. However, there are other studies that show too much alcoholic consumption can cause certain types of cancer. So it's all about balance. Drinking a little can help, drinking too much can harm.

Answer 2

Both are true. A bit of alcohol can be beneficial. But, as with most things, if you overdo it, it can have negative effects on the body. A glass or two of wine a day may be OK, but 3 or more can increase your risk of certain cancers, like breast cancer.

Answer 3

I have read that one glass of red wine a day can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease in spite of the demand it puts on lhe liver to filter it and the few brain cells it kills.

I have also heard that green tea and cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.) reduce these risks with no risk side effects.

If you enjoy an occasional glass of wine, enjoy it, do not drink more wine for your health. If you drink too much, don't kid yourself and use the health benefits of MODERATE drinking to justify too much drinking,

Just drink some green tea and eat your veggies.

Answer 4

Is it true that drinking alcohol can lower my risk for heart disease?

There is evidence that drinking modest amounts of alcohol is associated with a lower risk for coronary heart disease in men, and perhaps women. For more details, read Red Wine - Health Benefits? However, drinking higher amounts of alcohol raises the risk of cancer along with risks for high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, birth defects, inflammation of the pancreas, damage to the brain and heart, malnutrition, osteoporosis, accidents, violence and suicide. There are better ways to decrease your heart disease risk, including exercising, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, lowering saturated fats and trans fats in your diet, controlling blood pressure and not smoking.-