While, in the past, both red and white wine have been attributed benefits that range from a better digestion to preventing heart-rhythm disturbances, a new study comes to warn women of the dangers of a large glass of wine consumed daily. The latest Oxford University research brings out that a daily intake of wine (or any other type of alcoholic drink for that matter) increases the risk of cancer by a quarter.

The study, which has included more than a million middle-aged British women, comes to reveal that chances of developing breast, liver and rectal cancer are boosted by a quarter when regular alcohol consumption is the case, while smoking combined with wine also brings throat and oral cancer into the equation.

Because of this, the findings actually overturn the official stand of the British government, which had it that it was safe for women to drink “two to three units” a day, with three units of alcohol equaling a large glass.

The conclusion of the latest research is that, if they want to lower their chances of developing the condition, they must steer away of alcohol almost altogether. “These findings suggest that even relatively low levels of drinking – about one or two alcoholic drinks every day – increase a woman’s risk of developing cancer of the breast, liver and rectum; and in smokers, cancers of the mouth and throat.” Dr. Naomi Allen from Oxford University’s cancer epidemiology unit says.

Cancer Research UK, which has funded the research, also recommends no alcohol consumption as the most adequate way to lower the risk of the pathological condition. “We know that too much alcohol increases the risk of a number of cancers. This latest study shows that even relatively low levels of drinking increase a woman’s risk. Cancer Research UK recommends that the more you cut down on alcohol, the more you reduce your cancer risk.”

Since the findings of the latest study will come as a shock to many ladies who drink alcohol regularly, the Department of Heath assures them that further studies will be commissioned on this very topic. As a side note, the British media informs, consumption of alcohol in women has increased by almost 50 percent as compared to 1998, which is yet another concerning fact especially in light of this new research.