Washington: A new study has revealed that drinking one or two glasses of red wine could help prevent the risk of prostate cancer in men.

According to researchers, the compound detected in red wine is known as 'resveratrol' has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. The compound can also be found in raspberries, grapes, blueberries and peanuts.

The study led by Coral Lamartiniere at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) found that feeding male mice with resveratrol, made them 87 per cent less likely to grow the most lethal type of prostate cancer.

The mice that were given the compound mixed with their food more than seven months indicated the highest cancer-protection effect.

Coral Lamartiniere, the study leader said, “The study adds to a growing body of evidence that resveratrol consumption through red wine has powerful chemoprevention properties, in addition to its apparent heart-health benefits.”

“I drink a glass a day every evening because I’m concerned about prostate cancer. It runs in my family,” he added.

A former study conducted at UAB depicted the benefits were not just for the males: female mice given resveratrol had a notably reduced risk of getting breast cancer.

Red wine, made from red or black grapes, is well-known to defend from heart problems even though researchers have advised that excess consumption of alcohol can have dangerous health effects.