Is there any relationship between the type of alcoholic beverage and oral cancer? Focus on red wine in an European perspective

Since decades, it has been suggested that regular, low to moderate consumption of red wine, a major component of Mediterranean diet, at main meals, may contribute to explain the healthy properties attributed to this traditional dietary style. Despite preclinical in vitro/in vivo data have shown many signifi cant pharmacological activities of grape phytochemicals, mostly polyphenols, evidence in humans is still debated. This lack of consensus may be due to the equilibrium between the two main components of wine relevant for health: alcohol and phytochemicals. Because ethanol is a major risk factor in oral carcinogenesis, in this commentary, we briefl y discuss the relationship between the type of alcoholic beverage and oral cancer in European countries.