Red wine vs White wine, which poses a greater cancer risk?

We often pick up a glass of wine, thinking: What harm could a small drink possibly do? But guess what—it's doing more than just harm. It might be increasing your risk of a life-threatening disease. Recent research has uncovered alarming links between alcohol consumption and cancer. But does the type of wine you drink—red or white—make a difference? Is one more harmful than the other when it comes to cancer risk? Let’s dive into the science behind it.

Scientists overwhelmingly agree that alcohol consumption can lead to several types of cancer. In fact, the US Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program classifies alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen. Research shows a clear pattern: the more alcohol someone drinks—especially over the long term—the greater their risk of developing cancers linked to alcohol.

But how does alcohol increase the risk of cancer in humans? As per the National Cancer Institute(govt website), scientists have identified several ways alcohol could raise the risk of cancer, some of which include:

Toxic breakdown: When the body processes alcohol, it turns into acetaldehyde, a harmful chemical that can damage DNA and proteins, increasing the risk.

Cell damage: Alcohol creates reactive oxygen molecules that harm DNA, proteins, and fats in the body, leading to oxidative stress.

Nutrient absorption issues: Drinking alcohol can make it harder for the body to absorb essential vitamins like A, B (including folate), C, D, and E, all of which help protect against cancer.

Hormone changes: Alcohol can raise estrogen levels, which has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.

Hidden toxins: Some alcoholic drinks contain cancer-causing contaminants from the fermentation and production process, such as nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, and hydrocarbons.

As per a 2023 study, an estimated 20,000 adults in the United States die from alcohol-associated cancer each year. However, alcohol consumption, and especially wine indulgence, is at an all-time high. Wine enthusiasts are often heard listing the ‘supposed benefits’ of drinking wine, but how much value do these claims have?

Some believe that the antioxidants in red wine, like flavonoids and resveratrol, may offer protection against certain diseases, including cancer. But these benefits can’t really outweigh the harms of alcohol consumption. US CDC says all drinks that contain alcohol, including red and white wine, beer, and liquor, can raise the risk of cancer.

It is in this context that a team of researchers from Brown University’s School of Public Health analyzed data from 42 observational studies involving nearly 96,000 participants to compare how red and white wine affect cancer risk.

The study published in Journal Nutrients was led by epidemiologist Eunyoung Cho, ScD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Dermatology at the Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island. She explained, “We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess whether red wine is truly a healthier choice than white wine.”

“Our analysis included as many published epidemiologic studies as possible that separately explored the relationship between red and white wine consumption and cancer risk,” she added.

However, Cho also stated that, overall, there was no significant difference in cancer risk between the two types of wine. However, a notable distinction emerged in relation to skin cancer, where white wine consumption—unlike red wine—was associated with a higher risk.

Why is white wine more harmful than red wine?
The researchers found that drinking white wine was linked to a 22% higher risk of skin cancer compared to red wine. They speculated that frequent wine consumption might also be tied to risky habits like indoor tanning or skipping sunscreen. It remained unclear why white wine specifically carried a greater risk.

It was speculated, however, that even though both kinds of wine contain ethanol, which converts into acetaldehyde, it is the presence of other compounds that lead to such a difference. Red wine, as mentioned earlier, contains higher levels of polyphenols such as resveratrol, which in turn has been considered for its potential anti-cancer properties.

People who consume more white wine may also have lifestyles that put them at greater risk for skin cancer, such as spending more time in the sun or using tanning beds, says the study. However, these habits don’t fully explain the connection. A study in Food Science and Biotechnology suggests that white wine contains higher levels of acetaldehyde—a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism—compared to red wine. This difference could be due to variations in how the wines are fermented and aged.

Does gender play a role?
Researchers suggest that biological differences in how alcohol is processed or the influence of hormones may make female drinkers more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A study published in Alcohol Research & Health, women are more susceptible to alcohol-related impairment of cognitive performance compared to men, especially in tasks involving delayed memory or divided attention functions. A study published in International Journal of Epidemiology shows alcohol can raise estrogen levels, which is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. However, this observation is not exclusive to wines and is observed across all alcohols.

Although the study found no definitive proof that red wine lowers cancer risk, it challenges the common belief that red wine is naturally a healthier option than white wine.