Recent Buzz: Drinking Wine Lowers Risk of Barrett's Esophagus

We all know that drinking wine has been linked to different preventative health measures, keeping in mind that moderation is key. To add to the mix (and justification of why we drink), Kaiser Permanente released a study today showing that drinking wine can lower your risk of Barrett's Esophagus, a precursor to the nation's fastest growing cancer.

The study examined 953 men and women in Northern Cali (between 2002 and 2005) and found that people who drank one or more glasses of red or white wine a day had less than half the risk (56% reduced risk) of Barrett's Esophagus. There was no reduction of risk among people who drank beer or liquor - pretty substantial if you ask me!

Keep in mind my WinoBees, that the study showed a more "protective" effect when just one or two glasses were consumed per day... it doesn't increase with consumption. So whether you're tipping a bottle or tipping a glass, you're still gonna have the same effect. At least its a positive one... DRINK UP!

About Barrett's Esphogus
Barrett's Esophagus is a precursor to esophageal cancer, the nation's fastest growing cancer with an incidence rate that's jumped 500 percent in the last 30 years. Barrett's Esophagus affects 5 percent of the population and occurs when heartburn or acid reflux permanently damages the esophageal lining. People with Barrett's Esophagus have a 30- to 40-fold higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (a type of esophageal cancer) because the Barrett's Esophagus cells can grow into cancer cells.

Because there are no symptoms or warning signs of Barrett's Esophagus, people discover they have Barrett's Esophagus when an endoscopy for anemia, heartburn or a bleeding ulcer reveals esophageal cells that were damaged, then changed form during the healing process. Currently nothing can be done to treat Barrett's Esophagus; it can only be monitored.