People who drink a large glass of wine a day could reduce their risk of developing cancer by seven per cent by switching to a lower alcohol alternative, according to a cancer charity.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) is urging drinkers to make the switch after calculating the effect of switching from a wine with an alcohol content of 14% to a 10% wine, on people who drink a 250ml glass a day.
‘From a cancer prevention point of view it is best not to drink at all,’ said Dr Rachel Thompson, science programme manager for WCRF.
‘But we have to be realistic and the fact is that many people in the UK enjoy a drink and see it as part of their social life.’
In press release Thompson said reducing the number of drinks, or switching to lower alcohol wine, would be likely to prevent ‘hundreds of cancer cases in the UK a year’.
According to WCRF, alcohol in any form can lead to bowel cancer, which affects about 37,000 people a year in the UK.
The charity also cites ‘strong evidence that switching to a lower-alcohol wine would reduce risk of breast cancer, liver cancer, oesophageal cancer and cancers of the mouth, pharynx and larynx.’
New video: How to Analyse Colour, with Steven Spurrier
Written by Panos Kakaviatos
