The growth of breast cancer cells can seemingly be stalled with the help of an ingredient in red wine, thus underscoring the potential for fighting the resistant forms of the disease --- a new study by scientists at the University of Calabria, Italy, has suggested!

According to the findings of the study, resveratrol – which is a plant chemical found in grapes and red wine – can effectively block the cancer-stimulating impact of the female hormone oestrogen. The researchers opine that resveratol can apparently also slow down the growth of the hormone-resistant breast cancer cells.

Going by a report in The Daily Mail, resveratrol - found in blueberries, cranberries, and peanuts - works in such a manner that it is effective in blocking the oestrogen’s combination with DNA in a woman's body --- a combination that is the cause behind the growth of tumour cells.

As per lead researchers Sebastiano Ando, resveratrol is a potential pharmacological tool that can be useful when breast cancer become resistant to the hormonal therapy.

Meanwhile, even though the researchers have claimed that resveratrol can prevent the effects of oestrogen on tumour cells, thereby bringing their growth to an end, doctors have warned patients against the indiscriminate intake of red wine as a breast cancer treatment.

Noting that the findings of the study are “exciting,” editor Dr Gerald Weissmann said that “in no way does it mean that people should go out and start using red wine or resveratrol supplements as a treatment for breast cancer”!