Feb 20, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- The French government is ready to warn its citizen to stop drinking wine as evidence suggests that drinking alcohol boosts risk of a number of cancers, Timesonline.co.uk reported on Feb 20.

The Ministry of Health's guidelines based on the findings of the National Cancer Institute (INCA) are quoted as saying " the consumption of alcohol, and especially wine is discouraged."  

A single glass of wine per day is said to increase the odds of getting cancer by up to 168 percent, the ministry's guidelines are cited as saying.

Governmental bodies worldwide keep saying that one drink or two per day helps reduce heart risk although there has been no denying of the possibility that drinking alcohol may increase risk of certain cancers.   Cancer risk from alcohol is no news, but studies are inconsistent.

The INCA has analyzed hundreds of international studies and found the relation between types of cancer with food, drink and lifestyle.   Alcohol is not the only risk one can encourage in his daily life.  The French experts also found red meat, charcuterie, and salt are dangerous.

Specifically, the INCA study found intake of 100 grams of red meat per day boosted the risk of colorectal cancer by 29 percent and intake of 50 grams of charcuterie per day increased the risk by 21 percent.

Alcohol alone can raise the risk of cancers in the mouth, larynx, esophagus, colon/rectum and breast; the guidelines are cited as saying.

“Small daily doses of alcohol are the most harmful. There is no amount, however small, which is good for you,” Dominique Maraninchi, INCA's president was quoted by timesonline.co.uk as saying.

The General Association of Wine Producers says that the scientific evidence is contradictory and evidence from a WHO study has suggested that moderate consumption of alcohol helps to prevent cancer.