I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that I adore red wine. In the previous post, I discussed my fondness for red wine as well as the health benefits of drinking wine.
Unquestionably, red wine has received a lot of attention due to its research-backed potency to lessen the risk of heart disease and increase lifespan.
But which should you choose if you want the healthiest option? It is somewhat vital to bare in mind that whether you choose red wine over white wine is a personal preference.
Brief Summary of Wine Production
Interestingly, wines are products of fermented grapes. Grapes are harvested, smashed, and stored in buckets or vats to ferment. The fermentation process converts the natural sugars in grape juice into alcohol.
Fermentation can happen naturally, however, to hasten the fermentation process, winemakers sometimes make use of yeast.
The crushed grapes are pressed to remove the skins and other debris. Whether this procedure is performed prior to or after fermentation, as well as the color of the grape, influences the outcome of the final production of the wine, red or white.
Before fermentation, grapes are pressed to make white wine. After fermentation, red wine is frequently pressed.
Nutritional Difference between Red and White Wine
According to Nutritional data, red and white wine have very similar nutrition profiles.
Hence, looking at the nutrient content per 5-ounce (148-ml) glass, you can see that there are some differences
| Red wine | White wine | |
| Calories | 125 | 121 |
| Carbs | 4 grams | 4 grams |
| Sugars | 1 gram | 1 gram |
| Manganese | 10% of the RDI | 9% of the RDI |
| Potassium | 5% of the RDI | 3% of the RDI |
| Magnesium | 4% of the RDI | 4% of the RDI |
| Vitamin B6 | 4% of the RDI | 4% of the RDI |
| Iron | 4% of the RDI | 2% of the RDI |
| Riboflavin | 3% of the RDI | 1% of the RDI |
| Phosphorus | 3% of the RDI | 3% of the RDI |
| Niacin | 2% of the RDI | 1% of the RDI |
| Calcium, vitamin K, zinc | 1% of the RDI | 1% of the RDI |
In general, red wine offers a modest advantage over white wine since it contains more vitamins and minerals. Nonetheless, white wine has fewer calories.
Difference between Red Wine and White Wine
The significant difference between white and red wine is the color of the grapes used. It also depends on whether or not the grape juice is fermented with or without the grape skin. [1]
Before the start of fermentation, grapes are pressed and the skins, seeds, and stems are removed to make white wine.
Red wine, on the other hand, is made by directly transferring crushed red grapes to vats and fermenting them along with the skin, seeds, and stems. The grape skins provide the wine with its color as well as many of the unique health ingredients present in red wine.
Red wine is particularly rich in plant chemicals found in grape skins, such as tannins and resveratrol, as a result of steeping with them. White wine also contains some of these healthy plant compounds but in much lower quantities.
While red wine is derived from red grapes, white wine can be prepared from red or white grapes. Traditional French champagne, for example, is created from the red Pinot Noir fruit.
Wine is produced in many nations. France, Italy, Spain, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and California in the United States are some of the most important wine-growing locations.
While most locations grow a variety of grape varietals, some are noted for one or two in particular, such as Napa Valley Chardonnay, Spanish Tempranillo, and South African Chenin Blanc.
However, there are numerous sorts of red wine, each with its distinct flavor and color. Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are well-known varieties.
5 Health Benefits of Wine
Citing some studies from Healthline, red wine has been linked with numerous health benefits, many of which are attributed to its potent antioxidants.
Red wine consumption is linked to:
- Lowers the risk of depression: A recent study of middle-aged and elderly people showed that those who drank 2–7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to become depressed. [5]
- Lowers the risk of cancer: Some research has shown that decent wine consumption is associated with a decreased risk of several cancers, including colon, basal cell, ovary, and prostate cancers
- Curb insulin resistance: Drinking 2 glasses per day of regular or dealcoholized red wine for 4 weeks may reduce insulin resistance.
- Lowers the risk of dementia: It is important to note that drinking 1–3 glasses of wine per day has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes in women: Moderate red wine consumption has been linked with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women.
It appears that moderate amounts of red wine can be beneficial. However, there are some significant disadvantages to consider when consuming too much alcohol.
Disadvantages of too much Wine
Even though a moderate consumption of red wine may offer numerous health benefits, excessive alcohol consumption can have disastrous health consequences.
Some of these disastrous health consequences include:
- Weight gain: Do you know that red wine contains twice as many calories as beer and sugary soft drinks? Too much consumption may however contribute to high-calorie intake and cause you to gain some weight.
- Liver cirrhosis: When over 30 grams of alcohol (that is about 2–3 glasses of wine) are consumed each day, the risk of developing liver disease increases. End-stage liver disease, called cirrhosis, is life-threatening and disastrous to the health.
- Might Increase the Risk of Depression: Heavy drinkers are believed to be at a much higher risk of depression than moderate or non-drinkers. [8]
- Alcohol Addict Too much and frequent alcohol consumption can spiral out of control and lead to alcoholism. [7]
- Increased risk of death and disease: Men who consume a large amount of wine, even if only 1-3 days a week, maybe at a higher risk of developing diabetes. High alcohol consumption has also been related to an increased chance of dying prematurely. [6]
Is Red Wine Better for You Than White Wine?
If you must drink wine, research appears that red wine is much healthier — or would I say less harmful — than white wine.
In other words, when it comes to health benefits, red wine tops the chart.
With that being said, drinking alcohol should NEVER be recommended as a strategy to improve health because the negative effects can be severe if consumed in excess.
Furthermore, the majority of research demonstrating benefits are observational in nature, which means they cannot prove cause and effect.
If you prefer drinking wine, red wine is the superior option, but limiting your alcohol consumption (or eliminating it entirely) is always the best option.
Many Thanks for Reading!
Disclaimer: The above information written in this article is solely meant for informational and educational purposes only. The article written/published does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease and should not be treated as medical advice. Seek Professional help when necessary.
