MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Many studies have found that alcohol can increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer, but new research shows red wine may prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center looked at 36 younger women who drank eight ounces of cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay daily for almost a month. Then, researches had the women switch to the other type of wine for a month. In the end, they noticed a difference in the women when they were drinking red wine.

“In red wine, the hormone levels – the estrogen levels – decreased while the testosterone levels increased,” said Dr. Chrisandra Shufelt of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “And that may actually be a change for risk factors for breast cancer risk.”

Shufelt said the change in hormone patterns suggests red wine may prevent the growth of cancer cells.

However, more research is needed to confirm this small study.

The study’s authors also said that red wine is not yet proven to prevent breast cancer safely.