Alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol also may increase breast cancer risk by damaging DNA in cells.
Doctors long have determined that alcohol increases the body's estrogen levels, fostering the growth of cancer cells.
Alcohol consumption is known to affect the levels of oestrogen and progesterone significantly. Acute consumption of alcohol has been shown to increase oestrogen levels (2). Alcohol does this by slowing down the breakdown of oestrogen in your liver and upregulating the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen (3).
Alcohol like bourbon, wine, and beer contain phytoestrogens (estrogen-mimicking substances), which can raise your estrogen levels, worsening PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroid symptoms.
In some of the studies reviewed above, heavy alcohol consumption has been found to increase estrogen production, which should protect bone from the development of osteoporosis. Yet, despite this increase in estrogen, alcohol consumption leads to accelerated bone loss.
Alcohol is known to raise estrogen levels, but there is evidence that the chemicals in red grape seeds and skins may actually decrease estrogen levels. If your peri-menopausal symptoms are caused by a drop in estrogen then red wine may make things worse!
The investigators concluded that red wine, but not white wine, was associated with significant effects on some indices of estrogen metabolism; free testosterone and luteinizing hormone were increased, but no significant differences were noted in estrogen levels.
They observed that red wine was associated with higher testosterone and lower SHBG levels, as compared to white wine. They found no significant difference in estrogen levels.
Alcohol raises endogenous hormones (like estrogen and testosterone), which affects the growth of breast tissues and increases breast cancer risk. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 also increases with alcohol use and causes both breast tissue and breast cancer cells to grow.
Red Wine and the Risk of Breast Cancer
Doctors determined long ago that alcohol increases the body's estrogen levels, fostering the growth of cancer cells.
This study found that chemicals in red wine (from the skins and seeds of red grapes) slightly lowered estrogen levels among premenopausal women who drank 8 ounces of red wine nightly for about a month (1).
This inhibition leads to a marked decrease in estrogen (estradiol and estrone) levels. Naturally occurring aromatase inhibitors include grapes, grape juice, and red, but not white wine. The aromatase inhibitory effects are attributed to wine phytochemicals and not to alcohol.
Yes, according to experts. Dr. Juliana Kling with Mayo Clinic's Women's Health Center in Arizona says that alcohol use during menopause can worsen symptoms and increase a woman's risk for serious health conditions, like heart disease and osteoporosis.
Elevated estrogen levels in women have been linked to conditions such as polyps, fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis pain, and ovarian tumors [1]. Other conditions associated with high estrogen levels include dementia, heart disease, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, insulin resistance, and uterine cancer [4,6].
Lifestyle Changes. In addition to reducing your exposure to xenoestrogens, exercise, stress management, and proper sleep are all critical to hormonal balance. You should also stop smoking [11]. Exercising often results in sweating, which is one of your body's natural detoxification mechanisms.
In terms of lowering estrogen levels, there is no surefire evidence that any particular drink can help women balance or lower their hormone levels. In saying that, research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health that drinking green tea daily could be linked to lower levels of estrogen in post-menopausal women.
In addition, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans who consume alcohol do so in moderation. Moderation is one drink per day for women and two for men. While this is often considered a good rule of thumb, it doesn't necessarily mark someone who drinks more than recommended amounts as an alcoholic.
If you already drink red wine, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means: Up to one drink a day for women of all ages. Up to one drink a day for men older than age 65.
Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Examples of one drink include: Beer: 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters) Wine: 5 fluid ounces (148 milliliters)
The investigators concluded that red wine, but not white wine, was associated with significant effects on some indices of estrogen metabolism; free testosterone and luteinizing hormone were increased, but no significant differences were noted in estrogen levels.
One glass each week could support ovarian reserve
Known as resveratrol, the molecule is a key component in red grapes, cocoa and blueberries and protects cells from biological stress, The Times reports.
The good news is, your body starts its detox process as soon as you stop. Within a few weeks, most moderate drinkers should see overall health improvements, including positive impacts on hormone levels.
By 4-8 weeks after quitting, your gut will start to level out. Your sleep-quality will improve. Though we may fall asleep faster when we drink, our brains actually increase alpha wave patterns, which cause our brains to be more active than they should be while we sleep.