Is wine good for you?

We’d all love the answer to this question to be yes. But it’s not so simple. Wine has a lot of good things in it, and some things which if you overindulge, might not be too healthy. So here is a breakdown of the bottle, and whether it’s good for you.

Wine and Carbs

Wine does have some carbs, but not as many as you think. A glass of wine contains between 1g and 4g of carbs depending on your choice, and less than half of that is sugar. That’s not as keto friendly as high percentage spirits like vodka, but much better than beer and cider. If you consider having just one drink, a medium glass of red wine will be about 4g, but a pint of beer will set you back 18g, and cider a whopping 31g. So wine is definitely a much healthier choice for your long drinks.

Wine and Calories

Similarly, the story on calories is good too. A medium glass of wine contains 123 calories. If you have a pint of beer, it’s 239 calories. So, you could have a couple of glasses of wine for every pint. Cider is off the scale again and should be avoided. Spirits remain the best option calorie-wise, but don’t forget to account for the mixer. A double gin and slim is 115 calories, putting you back on par with wine, and if you go for champers (brut is a must) then you’re only looking at 90 cals per glass. Amazing!

Wine and Health Benefits

Carbs and calories are only part of the story. Alcohol isn’t good for you if you have too much, so it’s important to think, and drink, in moderation. Every gram of alcohol is 7 calories, and then there is the impact on your liver and other body parts. The recommended amount for a UK adult is 14 units per week maximum, or a bottle and a half of wine a week. This should also be spread across 3 days or more. (for more information on drinking units and moderation visit drinkaware.co.uk).

So, there are no health benefits?

When it comes to wine, there is some evidence of benefits to health on two fronts. Wine is a natural product created from fruit, so it hangs on to a lot of the good stuff you’d normally find in grapes. Some of these good things are called antioxidants. An antioxidant is a chemical that inhibits oxidation, a process that is harmful to the body in large quantities. We get a lot of antioxidants in a healthy diet, but wine can help to boost this amount, especially red wine (there are more antioxidants in the skins), so there are some health benefits to be had.

There is also a chemical in wine called resveratrol which has been shown to have a positive impact on cholesterol and blood vessel health. If you drink wine in moderation, it can be good for your heart!

What’s the best bottle?

If you’re a combination wine lover and health nut, then there are some bottles that are better than others. If you’re a lover of fizz then you’re in luck as when you’re thinking about calories and carbs, Champagne is the best wine for you. It’s low sugar methods mean this extra dry wine is best for calories and carbs and is pretty keto friendly. Look for brut on the bottle as the sugars are at their lowest, and a glass is less than 1.5g of carbs per glass.

 

If you’re all about the antioxidants, then go for red wine. Pinot Noir (the James Bryant is our fave) is often touted as the healthiest option, as the skins are thinner on the grape, and this means lower sugar in the end. It also has good levels of the chemicals that might have heart benefits. Malbec is also pretty good, as the thick skins boost antioxidant levels.

Written by Matt Mugan