Pomegranate Vs. Red Wine

Both red wine and pomegranate have received attention for their putative benefits for health and well being, and both may play a positive role in a balanced, nutritious diet. However, the American Heart Association advises that nondrinkers should not use health reasons as a justification to start consuming alcohol. For personalized advice about the role of pomegranate or red wine in your diet, consult a physician or registered dietitian.

Nutrient Density

While red wine may confer some health benefits, in traditional terms it has a low nutrient density. Foods that are nutrient dense are those with relatively few calories and high amounts of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Red wine has only trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. In contrast, the pomegranate provides valuable nutrients. A pomegranate with a diameter of 4 inches contains nearly half of the average daily requirement for vitamin C, a vital nutrient for connective tissue health. Pomegranates also contain vitamin B-5, which is necessary for hormonal secretion, and potassium, a dietary mineral that is important for brain function.

Antioxidant Potency

Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells from the reaction known as oxidative stress, in which unstable molecules produced by normal metabolic processes as well as ultraviolet radiation and pollutants latch on to cells and damage them. Pomegranate and red wine alike are rich sources of the antioxidants known as polyphenols. Pomegranate juice, according to a 2008 article in the "Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry," has 20 percent more antioxidant potency than red wine. A diet rich in antioxidants may be protective against a host of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

Alcohol

Pomegranates are free of alcohol, while red wine contains 10 to 14 percent alcohol by volume. While alcohol abuse can have devastating physical and emotional consequences, moderate alcohol consumption of 1 to 2 drinks daily may actually be beneficial. According to a 2005 article in "Circulation," a journal published by the American Heart Association, moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a drop in total mortality. However, watch how much you pour. A drink is defined as 5 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of liquor or 12 oz. of beer.

Fat

Neither pomegranates nor red wine contain fat, making them appropriate for those on fat-restricted diets. Pound for pound, fat is one of the most caloric substances that we consume. While healthy fats like olive oil contribute nutrients that are essential to your well being, saturated fats -- such as lard, butter and shortening -- and trans fats made from partially hydrogenated oils have been implicated in cardiovascular disease.