Men who drink more than two glasses of alcoholic beverages a day are 20 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer, according to a new study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
The link between alcohol and risk of cancer is controversial. This latest research was the result of combining 35 previous studies in hopes that information from a larger population would lead to clearer results.
Overall, researchers found about ten different cancers have a causal link to alcohol intake. With prostate cancer, it appears that the more you drink, the higher your risk.
Drinking alcohol like red wine in moderation (less than two drinks per day) has been shown to help fight heart disease. However, men who exceed this protective amount of two drinks per day may be increasing their risk of prostate cancer by about 20 percent in comparison to their peers who abstain from alcohol.
Two drinks is the equivalent of 10 ounces of wine, 24 ounces of beer or 3 ounces of hard liquor.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men and its rates are increasing. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, every week, 475 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 83 die from the disease.
Future studies will look into why alcohol increases risk of prostate cancer. For more information on nutrition and prostate cancer, read our Nutrition Strategies for Preventing Prostate Cancer.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.