Red and white wines can help combat various forms of cancer, according to research conducted in Greece, scientists said yesterday in Thessaloniki.

Greek experts have been conducting tests over the last few years on the positive effects that a few glasses of local wine can have on the drinker’s health.

According to research presented at the Detrop food and drink exhibition by Dimitris Kouretas, an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Thessaly, plant polyphenols that are found in grapes can have an effect on human cells, bacteria and enzymes, thereby preventing cancer – including breast, lung and gastric – from breaking out or can fight tumors.

Kouretas led a study in 2004 that showed Greek white wines from Santorini and Thessaly grapes had anti-cancer properties. Since then, scientists have tested the effects of Greek red wine and found it has similar qualities, although they underline that drinking wine is not a cancer cure.

Research on patients with heart problems by a team led by Kouretas showed that those suffering from a narrowing of the arteries benefited from drinking red grape extract in comparison to patients who were given a placebo.