The Effects of Red Wine and White Wine on Blood Estrogen and Progesterone Levels

The Effects of Red Wine and White Wine on Blood Estrogen and Progesterone Levels

Healthy pre-menopausal women will be recruited in order to test the effects of red wine and white wine on blood estrogen and progesterone levels. The women will be randomized and rotated through two different treatments (red wine, white wine). Estrone and estradiol are hormones in the category of estrogens. It is known that the bodies of both men and women may convert (or aromatize) a certain amount of naturally occurring testosterone into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors have been used to prevent this conversion, or aromatization, of testosterone into estrogen, in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer in women. 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. Based upon this information, the investigators will monitor the estrogen levels at various phases in the menstrual cycles of women since hormone levels naturally vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Several epidemiologic studies have found that there is a correlation with moderate to high levels of alcohol consumption and breast cancer. Therefore, study participants will be asked to drink only a eight ounces of wine which should have minimal or no risk for the development of breast cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. female
2. pre-menopausal with regular ovulatory cycles for 12 months prior to the study
3. willingness and ability to participate in study requiring alcohol consumption
4. in general good health
5. BMI of 18.5-35
6. on regular, unrestricted diet
7. not currently, or within the past 3 months, using oral contraceptives or other hormone replacement therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

1. male
2. irregular menstrual cycles or vasomotor symptoms within the last 12 months
3. pregnant (or breast feeding)
4. any hormone therapy including phytoestrogens, oral contraceptives, SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators), or androgens (or precursors) for three months prior to the study
5. history of alcohol abuse
6. history of any estrogen-dependent neoplasia
7. high intake of dietary soy products
8. Minors < age 21 years