[Jackie07]

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2011 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Alcohol and wine in relation to cancer and other diseases.

Giacosa A, Adam-Blondon AF, Baer-Sinnott S, Barale R, Bavaresco L, Di Gaspero G, Dugo L, Curtis Ellison R, Gerbi V, Gifford D, Janssens J, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Pezzotti M, Santi L, Santi L, Rondanelli M.
Source

aDepartment of Surgery, University of Genoa bDepartment of Gastroenterology, Policlinico di Monza, Monza cDepartment of Biology, University of Pisa dResearch Centre for Viticulture (CRA), Conegliano (TV) eDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie ed Ambientali, University of Udine fIstituto di Genomica Applicata, Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico Luigi Danieli, Udine gUniversitÃ* Campus Bio-Medico hNational Commitee for Biosecurity, Biotechnology and Life Sciences iUniversity of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome jDi. Va. PRA, Microbiology and Food Technology Sector, University of Turin kMario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research lDepartment of Occupational Health, University of Milan, Milan mDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona nDepartment of Applied Health Science, University of Pavia oASP (Azienda di Servizi alla Persona) of Pavia, Pavia, Italy pInstitut Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Evry, France qOldways Preservation Trust rBoston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA sEuropean Cancer Prevention Organization, Hasselt, Belgium.

Abstract

Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with increased overall mortality, cancer, liver, and cardiovascular diseases; but low doses of alcohol (up to one drink per day) are not associated with the risk of any cancer site with the exception of breast cancer and possibly of oral and pharyngeal cancers. Moreover, recent evidence indicates that moderate alcohol and specifically wine intake provides cardioprotection and neuroprotection and may increase longevity. Various experimental data hypothesize a potential cancer chemopreventive role of some grape extracts, and complete sequencing of the grapevine genome has revealed genes responsible for the synthesis of health-promoting compounds (resveratrol and other polyphenols), thus advocating the development of future potential nutraceutical strategies. This focuses on the pros and cons of moderate alcohol and wine consumption and opens a debate on this topic.