Red wine often gets all the glory when it comes to health benefits, but white wine has several if its own. Chardonnay, pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc are types of white wines that are available at most liquor stores. You don't have to spend a lot to reap the rewards of drinking white wine; many inexpensive bottles offer the same health benefits.
Heart Disease
Small amounts of alcohol raise your good cholesterol, also called HDL cholesterol. Controlling your cholesterol levels decreases your risk of developing heart disease. White wine contains two specific antioxidants called tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, both of which offer heart protection. They work by preventing blockages in your arteries and improving heart function. For this reason, white wine may be just as effective for preventing heart problems as red wine is. White wines from Italy, Germany and France are particularly high in tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, reports "Best Health" magazine.
Lung Function
According to a study done at the University of Buffalo, white wine offers benefits for lung function. Conclusions from the research indicate that wine drinkers are able to expel a larger volume of air with each breath. This was evident in participants who had been drinking wine for a number or years and those who had just recently had white wine. If you suffer from asthma or are at risk of developing it, switching to white wine rather than red or even beer or spirits may help your symptoms. However, white wine should never replace prescribed treatments for lung problems.
Cancer
Due to the high antioxidant content in many types of white wine, drinking it could reduce your risk of developing cancer. Antioxidants are compounds that are found in grapes that work to counteract free radical damage from the environment that contribute to cancer growth. Resveratrol, the most commonly known antioxidant associated with wine is found in larger quantities in red wine, but white wine contains small amounts along with several other beneficial antioxidants.
Considerations
The biggest thing to keep in mind when drinking white wine is that the benefits come from drinking moderate amounts. For men, this is two glasses per day and for women it is only one, says Joy Bauer, nutrition expert for the Today Show. A glass of white wine should be no more than 5 ounces. Certain health conditions could be negatively affected by white wine so if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease or migraines, talk with your doctor before consuming it. Drinking more than is recommended has been linked to high triglyceride levels, weight gain and breast cancer.
References
- Today: Is Wine Good For You?; Joy Bauer; June 2008
- Science Daily: Drinking Wine, Particularly White Wine, May Help Keep Lungs Healthy, University At Buffalo Study Finds; May 2002
- "Best Health"; The Health Benefits of White Wine; Lisa Hannam; January 2009
- Johns Hopkins: Is White Wine Good For Your Heart?; September 2009
- French Scout: Major Types of White Wines
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