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Can You Prevent Cancer with Red Wine?

Cancer is undoubtedly one of the biggest killers and certainly the last thing you want to hear from a doctor. That being said, there are ways to limit your cancer risk. Some are conventional, while others may be surprising.

Every so often, you will hear various statements that sound interest, but are often wrong. For instance, everyone knows you should not go swimming for an hour after eating. Of course, this rule of thumb is wrong, but there you are.

In some cases, the rumor or rule of thumb has some basis in fact. Red wine, for instance, has often been touted as preventing certain forms of cancer. The basis for this has often been the country of France, where cancer rates are low and red wine is a favorite beverage.

Despite the rumor mill and media reports, the alleged power of red wine has never been proven. Well, that has recently changed. Surprisingly, the early results of studies on red wine show that it appears to actually help prevent certain cancers. Imagine that.

Unlike white wine, red wine is packed full with certain chemicals that are anti-oxidants. These biological components are loosely referred to as polyphenols. Within this catch-all phrase are catechins, resveratrol and other anti-oxidants.

The magic substance is found in the grapes, but not where you would expect. It is not the juice or pulp. Nope. The seeds and skins are the key. They contain polyphenols, which are anti-oxidants.

To understand the benefits of polyphenols, you have to understand free radicals. These buggers attack cells and mutate them, which is one way cancer comes about. Polyphenols block free radicals, acting as bodyguards for cells if you will.

Red wine also contains high levels of resveratrol. Resveratrol is an interesting polyphenol. It is used by plants to defend themselves against disease. Resveratrol has been found to significantly inhibit cancerous tumor growth in animals.

It is important to understand all of these findings are preliminary results. While things look good, not enough studies have been conducted or even finished. Nonetheless, the few definitive findings are impressive.

When it comes to cancer and men, problems of the prostate are common. Well, drinking red wine may be the answer. Studies have shown that drinking a glass a day can cut the risk of this aggressive cancer by 50 percent. That is pretty amazing.

So, is red wine the cure-all for cancer? Probably not. Further tests will flesh out the details, but there is no denying that a glass of red wine a day will help fight come forms of cancer.

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