Marinating a steak in red wine or beer can cut down the number of cancer-causing agents produced when it is fried or grilled, suggests one study while another by World Cancer Research Fund reveals that two units of alcohol may increase the risk of bowel cancer by 18 per cent and liver cancer by 20 per cent, both reported recently.
Meat cooked in this way contains relatively high levels of cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HAs). However, Portuguese researchers found HA levels in steak were lower if it was dipped in beer or wine before cooking.
Details of the research are highlighted in New Scientist magazine. However, experts said the effect on health was likely to be minimal.
The high temperatures associated with frying and grilling convert the natural sugars and amino acids found in meat into HA. Previous research has shown that olive oil, lemon juice and garlic marinade cut HA levels in chicken by as much as 90%.
The latest research, by a team at the University of Porto and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, focused on the effect of an alcohol marinade.
They found six hours of marinating in red wine or beer cut levels of two types of HA by up to 90% compared with un-marinated steak.
Wine vs. Bowel and Liver Cancer
The second study, a new research indicating higher chance of cancer due to beer or wine was based on data submitted to the WCRF last year, which also included details on processed meat, like ham and bacon, and its effects in terms of leading to bowel cancer. The conclusion of two units of alcohol being potentially dangerous for one's health come to refer to a daily intake of a pint of beer, a glass of wine, or a double shot of vodka or gin.
Previous studies have shown that the overall risk during a lifetime to develop bowel cancer is one in 20 for men, and one in 18 for women. When alcohol is added in the equation, this percentage shifts to one in 16 for men, and one in 14.5 for women.
The main cause for this is believed to be the fact that alcohol can cause damage to the DNA which, in turn can lead to cancer. UK, government advisories advise that "Men should not regularly drink more than three to four units of alcohol per day, and women should not regularly drink more than two to three units." According to the news report
The report acknowledges that numerous other studies have shown that wine and beer are beneficial for one's health if consumed moderately
With the increasing popularity of wine several new studies are being conducted to study the wine and health relationship. Most of them are positive for heart and general health provided up to two glasses a day are consumed by men and one glass for women (not pregnant. A few recent studies have discovered the increased cancer risk which goes up much higher when drinking beyond these levels. Risk to liver at high levels of alcohol is well established.
Indian Wine Academy has always advised two glasses a day of wine (12.5-13% alcohol, 6 glasses to a regular bottle; 250 mL a day for men and 125 mL a day for women due to increased breast cancer risk beyond this quantity).
We continue to advise the same. It is prudent to go by your doctor's advice provided he or she are well informed about the latest studies, health advisories in progressive countries like US, UK and Denmark and are neither biased or prejudiced against alcohol- editor |
