Science Daily — Researchers have found that men who drink an average of four to seven
 glasses of red wine per week are only 52% as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as
 those who do not drink red wine, reports the June 2007 issue of Harvard Men’s Health
 Watch. In addition, red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive
 cancers.

 Researchers in Seattle collected information about many factors that might influence the risk of
 prostate cancer in men between ages 40 and 64, including alcohol consumption. At first the
 results for alcohol consumption seemed similar to the findings of many earlier studies: There
 was no relationship between overall consumption and risk.

 But the scientists went one step further by evaluating each type of alcoholic beverage
 independently. Here the news was surprising—wine drinking was linked to a reduced risk of
 prostate cancer. And when white wine was compared with red, red had the most benefit. Even
 low amounts seemed to help, and for every additional glass of red wine per week, the relative
 risk declined by 6%.

 Why red wine? Doctors don’t know. But much of the speculation focuses on chemicals—
 including various flavonoids and resveratrol—missing from other alcoholic beverages. These
 components have antioxidant properties, and some appear to counterbalance androgens, the
 male hormones that stimulate the prostate.

 Many doctors are reluctant to recommend drinking alcohol for health, fearing that their patients
 might assume that if a little alcohol is good, a lot might be better. The Harvard Men’s Health
 Watch notes that men who enjoy alcohol and can drink in moderation and responsibly may
 benefit from a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cardiac death.

 Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Harvard Men's Health
 Watch.