Wine May Cut Risk of Esophageal Cancer(2)
Is It the Alcohol?
The studies suggest, but do not prove, that drinking wine in moderation protects against esophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett's.
If wine is protective, Corley says the benefits may have nothing to do with alcohol.
"Wine is high in antioxidants and other studies have shown that people who eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are less likely to have Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer," he says.
In animal studies, antioxidants have also been shown to protect against the inflammation that causes injury to the esophagus.
Because of the many unanswered questions, Corley says it is far too soon to recommend drinking a glass of wine a day to protect against esophageal cancer.
"At best, we can say at this point that alcohol does not seem to be a risk factor for Barrett's and esophageal adenocarcinoma," he says.
Barrett's researcher Prateek Sharma, MD, of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, agrees.
"It may be that people who drink wine have healthier lifestyles," he says. "They may eat more fruits and vegetables and consume less fat in their diets. The last thing you would want is for people to start drinking wine to prevent cancer."
And even though esophageal adenocarcinoma is the fastest growing cancer in the U.S., Sharma points out that it is still relatively uncommon.
"About 15,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with esophageal cancer a year, compared to 150,000 people diagnosed with colon cancer," he says.
