We often hear contradicting information regarding drinking wine and our health. Is it healthy? Is it “bad” for you? I am here to shed some light on this topic. I’m a little biased…because I love red wine. The taste, the smell, the nice buzz; it’s how I get to my “happy place”. I call it my creative juice.  Along with all of the known effects of this fermented grape juice, what are some health benefits? And do they outweigh the calories? Let’s do some research!

How much is “1 glass” of wine, really? According to an article posted on Pop Sugar, 1 glass of wine is only about 5 ounces! That’s much less than I anticipated…

It is recommended that women limit wine intake to 1 glass per day, while men can allow up to 2 glasses per day. The explanation for why men are “allowed” to drink 2 glasses instead of 1 per day is because they generally weigh more than women, and they also have an enzyme that helps metabolize alcohol much quicker than a woman’s body.

On average, there are about 25 calories per ounce of red wine. This article has a formula for calculating how many calories are in a serving of wine; it takes into account the % ABV in the wine.

Calorie Counter Formula for Wine

% of Alcohol X Ounces X 1.6 = Calorie Content

One benefit of drinking white wine is that it has naturally-occurring antibacterial properties. It is suggested that drinking 1 or 2 glasses of white wine while consuming crude oyster and shellfish can significantly aid digestion and prevent possible encounters with E. Coli.

Another article explains that red wine is high in an antioxidant called resveratrol. The effects of resveratrol have been studied and proven to boost heart health, protect against cancers (prostate, colon, breast, lung), prevent some vision loss, reduce LDL cholesterol, and is high in omega 3 fatty acid. Another way to intake resveratrol is from eating: blueberries, red grapes, cranberries, or peanuts.

According to Mayo Clinic, an excess of drinking can lead to an increased risk of cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, liver or pancreas diseases. Clearly, it’s best to stay at or under the recommended daily intake amount to reap the benefits of drinking wine.

The verdict? Wine is ok to drink in moderation and while eating a meal. It’s best not to drink on an empty stomach. So go ahead Mama, don’t feel guilty when reaching for your “bottle” at the end of the day. You’ve spent the entire day taking care of everyone else. Now it’s your time! 

Cheers!

-Julie

Sources

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.bing.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1038&context=senior_theses

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265635.php

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/health-benefits-wine#1

https://www.foodandwine.com/articles/8-health-benefits-of-drinking-wine

http://heart.bmj.com/content/81/5/459.short

https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/What-Serving-Red-Wine-32032876

https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-many-calories-in-red-wine-3511278