The Healthiest Wine to Drink

One of the reasons behind growing popularity of wine in India is the perception that it is a relatively healthier alcoholic beverage. But if you were to take this contest further and pitch one variety of wine against another, then who will win the title being the healthiest wine?

On an average, a 150 ml glass of wine contains 120 to 150 calories (per serving), making it easier for calorie-counters to enjoy a drink or two without having to feel guilty about it. But that’s not all, multiple studies have claimed that wine has several other health benefits.

Wine, especially red wine, contains resveratrol- a compound with antioxidant properties that combats oxidative stress and inflammation, thus preventing cellular damage in the body. Antioxidants help reduce risk of cancer and heart diseases. High levels of antioxidants are known to prolong life as well, alongside improving gut health. If a 2007 study is to be believed then wine is a good way to get your daily fill of antioxidants. It claims that consuming 400 ml (a little over two glasses) of red wine for two weeks increases antioxidant status and decreases oxidative stress in the circulation significantly.

From preventing hypertension and type 2 diabetes to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, the list of purported health benefits of wine is far and wide, but all of these benefits can be availed by consuming other food items as well. For instance, grape juice too contains high levels of resveratrol, minus the harmful effects of alcohol. This is because resveratrol is found in the skin of the grapes and has nothing to do with the process of winemaking or the alcoholic content of the beverage. Similarly, many fruits, berries and nuts are better sources of antioxidants than wine and benefits like better heart health and reduced risk of cancer are associated more with practising a healthy lifestyle that focuses on eating right and exercising on a regular basis.

So, the reason why you drink wine can’t just be its health benefits as there are other ways to get that job done, that too in a better way. This partly answers the question about choosing the healthiest wine for consumption.

Healthiest Wine: It’s not what you think

According to us, the healthiest wine is the one that you drink in moderation. Any alcoholic beverage, when consumed in excess, can be harmful to your health. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to liver damage, anaemia, a form of arthritis called gout, nerve damage, obesity and depression among many things. Even in the case of wine, these negative effects of heavy alcohol consumption far outweigh any benefits that you may accrue as a result of moderate drinking.

So instead of counting the calories and benefits of alcoholic drinks like wine, it would be better to focus on the quantity you are consuming. There is no harm in enjoying a glass or two of wine with friends every now and then when done in moderation. Anything above that is not good for you.