Francuzi otkrili: Crveno vino može uzrokovati rak

Čaša vina dnevno više i ne zvuči tako dobro kao prije, Francuski stručnjaci otkrili su da crveno vimo može uzrokovati rak.

Drinking a glass of wine a day could do you more bad than good.

That's according to the findings of a new study by the French Cancer Institute.

It claims alcohol enhances the chances of developing cancer -- especially in small but regular doses.

But punters enjoying lunch in central Paris, show no sign of giving up the booze.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) SERGE DUBOIS, CLIENT, SAYING:

"We were just talking about this wine discussion, and I think there are contradictions. We are often told, even by doctors, that one glass of wine a day is good for the heart and arteries and so on. Now we're told that it gives cancer."

According to the study, alcohol increases the risks for certain cancers such as mouth, larynx, oesophagus and colon by 9 to 168 percent.

But researchers know they're fighting a losing battle in trying to get people to give up alcohol all together.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) MARTINE LE QUELLEC-NATHAN, PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR AT THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, SAYING:

"We do need to have a certain pleasure factor in what we eat, we are not trying to forbid people from eating certain foods nor to force them to eat others, as it would result in unbalanced diets anyway. We have to be careful to eat balanced meals, and as for alcohol, be aware it enhances risks for certain cancers, and that's true even with the first glass."

The urban myth that drinking a glass of red wine a day was good for your heart may now be under dispute.

But, the Gallic taste for wine dies hard.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) PHILIPPE MICHELANGE, CLIENT, SAYING:

"I don't think that is an exact fact. We should pay more attention to the lives of our dear wine producers. It's said that an apple a day reduces the risks of contracting cancer, so one glass of wine or more shouldn't be a problem, not for me anyway."

Around 50 to 60 litres of wine are consumed per head every year in France.

And it could be a hard push to get the nation to cut down.

Sarah Barden, Reuters.