Is there a difference between red and white wine regarding cancer risk?

Alcohol has been classified as carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and no differentiation between the alcoholic beverages has been made. It is not clear whether the cancer risk differs by consumption of different types of wine, in particular red versus white. Red wine has been considered a healthier option because it contains a higher number of polyphenols than white wine. American researchers addressed this research gap, particularly considering the contradictory literature on the carcinogenicity of red and white wine.

The authors concluded that this first meta-analysis and largest investigation of red versus white wine and cancer risk, found no differences in the association between red or white wine consumption and overall cancer risk, challenging the common belief that red wine is healthier than white wine.  They observed, however, that white wine had a stronger association with cancer when the analysis was restricted to cohort studies and for individual cancer sites, white wine intake but not red wine intake, was associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

These results warrant further investigation.