Red Versus White Wine: A Difference in Cancer Risk?

A NEW meta-analysis challenges the widely held belief that red wine is a healthier alternative to other alcoholic beverages, finding no overall difference in cancer risk between red and white wine consumption.

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and EMBASE databases identified studies examining wine intake and cancer risk up to December 2023. The meta-analysis included 20 cohort and 22 case–control studies, analysing data from 95,923 participants. A random-effects model was used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% CI for associations between wine consumption and overall cancer risk. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential differences by wine type, sex, and cancer site.

The findings indicated no significant association between overall wine consumption and cancer risk when comparing the highest and lowest levels of intake. Red wine consumption was not linked to increased cancer risk (summary RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.87–1.10), nor was white wine (RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91–1.10, Pdifference = 0.74). However, subgroup analyses revealed a significant association between white wine consumption and increased cancer risk among women (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05–1.52, Pdifference = 0.03) and in cohort study data (RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03–1.22, Pdifference = 0.02). Additionally, white wine intake was significantly linked to increased skin cancer risk across six studies (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14–1.30), while red wine showed no such association (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.95–1.09, Pdifference = 0.0003).

These results suggest no overall protective effect of red wine against cancer, while highlighting potential risks associated with white wine, particularly for women and skin cancer. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and implications for public health recommendations.

Reference

Lim RK et al. Consumption of red versus white wine and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrients. 2025;17(3):534.