If you’re an oenophile, then you’ve probably heard plenty of people extolling the virtues of red wine over white wine, but what about the other way around? Sure, white wine isn’t as good of a choice if you’re looking to lose weight, but it also has benefits of its own that should make it part of your regular diet. If you want to learn more about the potential health benefits of drinking white wine on a regular basis, read on for 10 unexpected advantages of white wine over red wine.
1) The Mayo Clinic recommends it
Because it is fermented only with the natural yeast found on grape skins, white wine has a lower alcohol content. Drinking this type of wine can also help reduce the risk for heart disease and cancer in some people because it’s usually made from grapes high in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been shown to have beneficial effects.
2) It helps with skin
Wine has long been celebrated for its health benefits, but white wine is really the way to go if you’re looking for beauty advice. Skin is the first place we start to show signs of aging, and drinking wine can help keep it youthful and glowing. Your skin may look less oily thanks to alcohol’s astringent properties, and a glass or two also gives it a nice rosy hue.
3) Cholesterol and weight loss
White wine is also known to have an antioxidant called quercetin that helps the body’s immune system, improves heart health, and lowers bad cholesterol. In a study conducted in France and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers found that those who drank more than four servings per week were 12% less likely to die from heart disease.
4) Bone health
Some people believe that drinking wine in moderation can help to promote bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, but there is no strong evidence. One study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who drink an average of one glass per day had a lower risk of hip fractures than non-drinkers. Some believe that this is because alcohol suppresses a hormone (thyroid stimulating hormone) that has been linked to lower bone density, but studies have not confirmed this hypothesis yet.
5) Soothes your stomach
The acidity in white wine can help soothe the lining of your stomach, relieve nausea, and prevent irritable bowel syndrome. As an added bonus, this means it can reduce bloating after a meal. White wine contains ingredients that also have diuretic properties. For those who are looking to lose weight, drinking wine is beneficial as you will urinate more than you take in alcohol calories! If you want to look and feel your best while drinking, then go for the benefits of white wine!
6) Better sleep
Believe it or not, white wine has been known to soothe your stomach and help relieve heartburn. The acid in the wine may also help reduce inflammation in some people. For those with celiac disease, doctors often recommend drinking white wine as an alternative to beer, which contains gluten. It’s also a perfect choice for someone on antibiotics to avoid developing a yeast infection because you’re less likely to get one if you don’t consume any sugar.
7) Prevents Alzheimer’s disease
If you’re looking for a way to avoid Alzheimer’s disease, it might be time to rethink your alcohol choices. A recent study in Sweden found that drinking white wine on the regular (at least one glass per day) may decrease your risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. While the study could not conclude exactly why this is happening, they hypothesized that it has something to do with how alcohol affects various pathways in the brain.
8) Reduces risk of liver disease
The cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme that breaks down alcohol also breaks down toxins in the liver. Drinking too much will lead to excess production of CYP2E1, which can cause liver disease. A study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found white wine reduced this risk by reducing levels of CYP2E1.
9) Lowers blood pressure
A study in the journal Hypertension found that people who drink wine moderately lowered their blood pressure, on average by 3-4 points. That’s especially good news for individuals at risk for heart disease or stroke.
The participants had an average blood pressure of 133/82 before the study began. After nine months, those who drank less than one to four glasses a week saw a 3-point drop and those who drank one to two glasses a day saw a 4-point drop.
10) Helps prevent strokes
Studies have shown that white wine is not only good for the heart but can also be good for the brain. In a study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex, the blood vessels within the brains of regular white wine drinkers appeared to be healthier than those who drank other alcohols like spirits or red wine. This could mean that white wine protects against strokes. Plus, drinking any type of alcohol in moderation (that means one drink per day) has been found to be good for you.
