Does Alcohol Increase Cancer Risk?

Hello my lovely community,

I was at a community health event recently, and a question came up that I hear often.

"But isn't a glass of red wine supposed to be good for you?"

It's such a fair question. For years, that's exactly what we were told.

So I want to answer it honestly, and completely, because the research has actually moved on quite a bit.

Here's the short version: alcohol increases cancer risk. Beer, wine, and spirits all count.

The red wine story is more complicated than "good" or "bad." Yes, it contains resveratrol, an antioxidant compound. But newer research shows the alcohol itself outweighs whatever benefit that resveratrol might offer. If you want the resveratrol, red grapes, berries, and dark chocolate get you there without the tradeoff.

I also want to be really clear about something that general health articles almost never say: the guidance is different if you're actively in treatment versus thinking about long term risk reduction. Alcohol can interact with treatment medications and irritate mouth sores in ways that matter right now, today, not just down the road.

And if you're managing weight, dealing with digestive symptoms, or carrying a genetic predisposition toward a hormone sensitive cancer, this isn't a one size fits all answer for you. It deserves an individualized conversation, which is exactly what I'm here for.

I wrote up the full picture, the research, the mechanisms, what "one drink" actually means (most of us are pouring more than we think), and how to think about this at every stage, survivorship included.

--> Read the full post: Does Alcohol Increase Cancer Risk?

If any part of this feels like it applies to your specific situation, I'd love to help you sort through it. You can schedule a consultation, or if you're curious about your own genetic predispositions, a Nutrition Genome nutrigenomics analysis is a great place to start.

Sending lots of love,

Michelle

Disclaimer: The information shared in this newsletter is intended for inspirational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Nothing in this newsletter is intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. Consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary, lifestyle, or supplement changes and do not forego or delay seeking medical attention based on the information shared in this newsletter.