The study in question found that resveratrol may actually help the spread of breast cancer, rather than prevent it. Scientists injected various concentrations of resveratrol into mice who’d previously had their immune systems suppressed. They found that every concentration promoted the growth of breast cancer cells in the mice. The official conclusion of the study is that resveratrol can ‘induce growth and metastasis of breast cancers.’ The authors are keen that the results should stand as a warning to those who use the substance as a complementary supplement; they may be putting themselves at greater risk of other diseases even while obtaining wellbeing benefits of a different nature.
However, in the case of resveratrol like many other health supplements, the results of research are not clear. There have been numerous animal studies that actually support the theory of anti-cancer action in the compound. A joint 2011 study between Italian and American scientists showed that resveratrol can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells by interrupting the effects of oestrogen. The confusion between different sources of knowledge in this area should serve as a warning to all of us. We are often too keen to praise ‘natural’ products and believe they can only have a good effect on health, purely because they are natural. However, we must always remember that foods are chemicals too, and interact with the body in infinite ways that not even scientists understand. In the case of resveratrol, we would urge caution until there is sufficient medical research to give us a fuller impression of its effects.