There have been lots of studies into the health benefits of wine. Red wine may protect against heart disease, while white wine may benefit kidney health and protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
Different types of wine offer different health benefits and risks.
Some types of wine, such as sparkling wine, are higher in calories than others, while others have higher alcohol contents.
The health benefits of wine usually come from the grapes that manufacturers use to make it.
Generally, a person may gain some health benefits from wine if they consume it in moderation.
A person who drinks excessive amounts of alcohol may put themselves at risk of developing health problems. The
This article discusses the potential health benefits of wine and explains the risks that can come from drinking wine.
According to some research, wine may have potential health benefits. Many of these benefits are due to the polyphenol content in wine. Polyphenols are micronutrients present in plants.
A 2019 review that looked into the Mediterranean diet suggested that polyphenols have strong antioxidant activity, which can prevent damage to cells due to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Most polyphenols in the diet are flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural compounds present in fruit and vegetables and their products, including wine.
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For example, they noted that some polyphenols in wine can prevent or slow the growth of tumor cells, while some can block enzymes and inhibit glucose absorption.
However, in studies, researchers
It is important to note that the amounts of these polyphenols in wine are very low. Moreover, this study only looked at in vitro testing. Therefore, more studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of these health benefits for people who drink wine.
In many respects, the health risks of wine outweigh any potential benefits it may have.
For example, drinking a lot of wine can lead to negative rather than positive health consequences,
- liver damage
- harm to a developing fetus, in pregnant people
- cancer
Red wines are classified according to the grapes the manufacturers extract them from and the region they harvest the grapes from. These grapes will have distinct properties, including their flavor and color.
Some types of red wine include:
- Cabernet
- Malbec
- Shiraz
- Merlot
- Zinfandel
- Barbera
- Pinot Noir
- Beaujolais
- Lambrusco
- St. Laurent
How do manufacturers make red wine?
Manufacturers make red wine by harvesting dark grapes. They crush these grapes with the skin intact, as the skin adds to the flavor and color of the wine.
They then add yeast to the grape mixture. This enables the conversion of sugar into alcohol. This is known as the fermentation process.
They then extract the juice from the fermented grapes, filter it, and bottle it.
Potential benefits of red wine
Red wine is the most widely studied type of wine in regards to its potential health benefits.
Type 2 diabetes
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However, one 2019 study found that red wine did not improve a person’s glucose levels. The authors stated that more research is necessary to confirm their findings and the safety of wine intake among people with type 2 diabetes.
Heart health
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However, epidemiological studies may produce less reliable data.
Red wine also contains a compound called resveratrol, which is an antioxidant present in grape skin. Because manufacturers leave the skin on the grapes during the fermenting process of red wine, it may be a rich source of resveratrol.
One 2016 study stated that the benefits of resveratrol include its:
- antioxidant activity
- anti-inflammatory activity
- anticancer activity
- ability to protect against neurodegenerative conditions
However, resveratrol has low bioavailability in humans. This means that the body may not absorb it properly to fully obtain its benefits.
Gut health
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Gut bacteria are essential to a person’s overall health, as they
However, the authors also clarified that the complex relationship between gut bacteria and dietary polyphenols means that they cannot be sure of their positive effects on human health.
Neurological health
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Potential risks of red wine
The CDC states that excessive alcohol intake caused around
A person may be
According to the CDC, the short-term health risks associated with drinking any type of alcohol in excess include:
- injuries
- violence
- alcohol poisoning
- miscarriage
Some long-term health risks include:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- liver disease
- cancer
- a weakened immune system
- mental health conditions
- alcohol use disorder
Because of this, people should try to only drink red wine in moderation.
White wines are also classified according to the grapes the manufacturers extract them from and the region they harvest the grapes from.
Some types of white wine include:
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Grigio
- Chenin Blanc
- Riesling
- Muscat
- Sauvignon
- Müller-Thurgau
How do manufacturers make white wine?
Like red wines, manufacturers harvest and crush white wine grapes.
However, with white wine, they usually separate the grape skins from the grape juice before the fermentation process.
Potential benefits of white wine
Researchers have typically focused less on white wine. Nonetheless, they have found some possible links between white wine consumption and health.
Neurological health
One 2018 study examined the effect of polyphenols on mice.
The researchers extracted these polyphenols from white wine and included them in the mice’s diets. They found that polyphenols may have a beneficial effect in reducing chronic inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.
Kidney health
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This may have a protective effect on endothelial cell function, according to the researchers.
Potential risks of white wine
A person may be more likely to develop certain skin conditions if they drink white wine.
For example, a 2017 study found that white wine was linked to an increased risk of rosacea in women. Rosacea is a type of acne.
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A person may also wish to limit their intake of white wine because it can be high in calories and may lead to weight gain if they consume it in large amounts. One glass of white wine contains
Manufacturers make rosé wine from black grapes that they harvest, crush, and ferment with the grape skin intact.
They ferment rosé wine at lower temperatures than they do red and white wine.
Potential health effects of rosé wine
Rosé wine does not seem to bring as many health benefits as red wine, but it brings the same potential risks as any other type of alcohol consumption.
The concentration of polyphenols in rosé wine is
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Manufacturers create sparkling wine by using a still wine as a base. This base wine has usually been through the fermentation process already.
They ferment sparkling wine similarly to white wine, meaning that they remove the grape skins.
This wine then undergoes a second fermentation process, wherein carbon dioxide becomes trapped in the liquid and forms bubbles. The manufacturers will then leave the wine to mature in the bottle, after which point the yeast is removed.
After this, they may add a small amount of sugar to the wine.
Prosecco and champagne are types of sparkling wine.
Potential benefits of sparkling wine
A 2014 review found that champagne consumption may increase vascular blood flow and stimulate cognitive function.
It suggested that moderate consumption of champagne may be associated with improved vascular health and might have the potential to slow the progression of certain neurodegenerative conditions.
Potential risks of sparkling wine
Due to the added sugar in sparkling wine, consuming a lot of it can lead to tooth decay and dental cavities.
Manufacturers make fortified wine by adding extra alcohol, normally a spirit, to wine. This creates a sweeter taste and a higher alcohol content.
Port and sherry are types of fortified wine.
Potential benefits of fortified wines
One 2015 study found that the consumption of fortified wine was associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
Potential risks of fortified wines
Fortified wines such as port and sherry may be high in calories, with one glass of dessert wine containing
Fortified wine contains more alcohol than other wines. As a result, the negative health risks associated with alcohol consumption are greater with fortified wine.
Research seems to suggest that red wine is the healthiest type of wine. However, this may be because there have been more studies into red wine than white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wine.
Many of the health benefits associated with red wine may come from the fact that the grape skins are intact during the manufacturing process. Grape skins are the main source of antioxidants in wine.
Although a person may gain some health benefits from drinking sparkling, fortified, or rosé wine, there is a lack of research into these wines.
A person who wants to drink wine should always do so in moderation, as excessive alcohol intake can be dangerous. If a person is worried about their alcohol intake, they can contact a doctor for advice.