Drinking Wine May Lower Risk Of Esophageal Cancer

· According to recent study published in the journal Gastroenterology, wine consumption may decrease the risk of Barrett’s esophagus which is a type of pre-cancerous condition of the lower esophagus.

· The studies authors report that in an attempt to identify and prevent changes that may lead to esophageal cancer, they analyzed dietary practices associated with the development of esophageal cancer.

· Study authors comment that, “the rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma in this country is sky-rocketing, yet very little is known about its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus.”

· The study included 953 men and women enrolled in Kaiser Permanente in Northern California between the years 2002 and 2005.

· Compared with people who did not drink wine, study subjects who reported drinking one or more glasses of red or white wine daily had a 56% reduced risk for Barrett’s esophagus.

· The protective effect of wine in lowering the risk for Barrett’s esophagus was greatest with only one to two glasses daily.

· The protection did not increase with drinking more than two glasses of wine. People who drank beer or other liquor had no lowering of risk for Barrett’s esophagus.

Reference
Gastroenterology. 2009;136:806-815

March 14th 2009

Posted on March 15, 2009

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