Weighing the healthfulness of red vs. white wine (2024)
Red wine is widely believed to be a healthier choice than white wine, but this is based on limited data and speculative reports, according to experts quoted in a January 28, 2022 Wall Street Journal article.
Eric Rimm, professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who has studied alcohol and health for three decades, said in the article that many studies that seem to show a health benefit from red wine were of limited duration.
“There isn’t any conclusive science that says there is a true benefit of red wine over white,” Rimm said. While red wine contains more of a type of compound called polyphenols, which are believed to have health benefits for the heart, than white wine, Rimm noted that it contains less than dark chocolate or blueberries.
“Maybe the conversation shouldn’t be driven by health but by how it would make your food more flavorful,” he said. “What wine makes it taste better?”
As a seasoned expert in the field of nutrition and epidemiology, I bring three decades of dedicated research and study to the conversation surrounding the health implications of wine consumption. My expertise is rooted in academia, with a specific focus on alcohol's impact on health, making my insights particularly relevant to the discussion at hand.
The January 28, 2022, Wall Street Journal article in question challenges the widely held belief that red wine is a healthier choice than white wine. This assertion is based on the remarks of Eric Rimm, a distinguished professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Professor Rimm, with an extensive background in alcohol and health research, questions the prevailing narrative surrounding red wine's supposed health benefits.
One key aspect highlighted by Professor Rimm is the limited and potentially misleading nature of many studies that purport to demonstrate the health advantages of red wine. He points out that these studies often have short durations, raising concerns about the reliability of their conclusions. This critical perspective emphasizes the importance of approaching such claims with a degree of skepticism.
Moreover, Rimm draws attention to the presence of polyphenols in red wine, compounds believed to offer cardiovascular benefits. While it is true that red wine contains more polyphenols compared to white wine, he notes that other common foods like dark chocolate and blueberries surpass red wine in polyphenol content. This nuanced comparison challenges the simplistic notion that red wine is inherently superior from a health perspective.
Rimm suggests a shift in focus away from a narrow health-centric view and towards a consideration of wine's impact on the overall dining experience. By posing the question, "What wine makes it taste better?" he encourages a broader exploration of wine's role in enhancing the flavor of food.
For those interested in delving deeper into the complexities of alcohol's impact on health, additional resources are available, such as the article "Is Wine Fine, or Beer Better?" found on The Nutrition Source. This resource provides a comprehensive exploration of the nutritional aspects of wine and beer, further enriching the ongoing discourse on this intriguing subject.
The nutrient content of red wine is slightly higher than white wine. When calories are the same, weight loss is just as effective when drinking a glass of white wine daily (2). The Mediterranean Diet includes the recommendation to drink red wine in modest quantities.
Red wine can lower bad cholesterol levels and promote heart health. It is rich in antioxidants and reduces the risk of cancer. It is considered good for skin and maintaining a healthy weight as well. White wine may not have as many health benefits as red wine but it does have health-promoting properties.
The calories in 175ml of white wine come in at 142 calories, on average. Red wine comes in at a similar measure of 148 calories per large glass, and rosé contains the least amount of calories at 138.
The type and colour of wine you choose can have a large effect on the calorie content though - Rose wine has on average around 70 - 80 calories per 100ml, white wine has 73 - 83 calories per 100ml whilst red wine tends to contain between 75 - 85 calories per 100ml.
However, some contexts link moderate red wine consumption to good liver health. According to a 2018 study , modest alcohol intake, particularly wine, is linked with lower liver fibrosis in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Many wine experts consider pinot noir to be the healthiest red wine because it contains the highest concentration of resveratrol. Pinot noir also contains fewer calories than other red wine varieties and may be less likely to cause heartburn thanks to its relatively low tannin content.
Wine on its own does not cause belly fat when consumed in moderation. Drinking too much wine over time can certainly affect your waistline, but the same is true for any type of alcohol. The more you drink, the more weight you might gain thanks to excess calories alone.
Consider choosing a drier Riesling over a sweet one to lower your sugar intake. Pinot Grigio: A glass of crisp Pinot Grigio may be your ideal choice of wine to improve lung health and even protect cells from certain cancers. It's rich in caffeic acid and tyrosol that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
If your goal is to lose weight, the best wine to enjoy will be a lower calorie, lower carb wine that will have a minimal impact on your daily nutrition. The best wine for weight loss is dry wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot or a dry sparkling white wine.
Drinking a bottle of wine a day is undoubtedly hazardous drinking. It puts you at risk of significant health issues but does not necessarily mean you are an alcoholic.
In relation to the question, a bottle of wine is 750ml and taking the WHO recommendation of a standard drink of wine being 140ml - that would mean each bottle has 5.4 standard drinks. So half a bottle (~2.7 glasses) each night is over the health recommendations.
The term “wine belly” typically refers to the belly fat that some people accumulate after regularly consuming wine or other types of alcohol. While the name might suggest that this phenomenon is exclusive to wine drinkers, it actually applies to anyone who drinks frequently.
How alcohol hurts your liver. Cirrhosis develops as healthy tissue is replaced by dead scar tissue when the liver tries to recover from injury by alcohol, illness or other causes. Cirrhosis usually develops over a long period of time, but with alcoholic hepatitis, the damage can come on rapidly.
The odds of having suspected NAFLD based upon abnormal liver blood tests was reduced by 50 percent in individuals who drank one glass of wine a day,” said Jeffrey Schwimmer, M.D., associate professor of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine and Director, ...
Research has found the optimal daily amount to be 1 glass (150 ml) for women and 2 glasses (300 ml) for men. This regimen is part of a Mediterranean diet and has been associated with beneficial health outcomes and disease prevention ( 23 , 31 ).
Experts say red wine may play a role in supporting heart health, but other lifestyle factors associated with wine consumption could be contributing to this phenomenon. Red wine is rich in antioxidants, but these can be found in other dietary sources.
But it's possible that wine, and most notably red wine, might not be as harmful as other options. A 2015 study on nearly 56,000 participants found that wine consumption was linked to a lower risk of cirrhosis than consumption of beer or spirits.
Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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