From a nutritional standpoint, wine is one of the best alcoholic beverages. It contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than most types of alcoholic beverages. Wine also contains flavonoids that promote cardiovascular health. Of course, any type of alcohol should be consumed in moderation. The risks associated with binge drinking far outweigh the nutritional benefits of wine.
Types
There are many different types of wine. On the most basic level, there are red and white. Cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir are types of red wine. Chardonnay and pinot grigio are types of white wine. The main difference is that red wine is made from red grapes and white wine is made from white grapes.
Nutrition Label
From a caloric perspective, red and white wines are very similar. According to the Wine Lover's Page, a 5 oz. serving of red wine contains approximately 102 calories, while a 5 oz serving of white contains about 96 calories. The calorie counts vary depending on the amount of alcohol in the wine. Wines with high alcohol content -- anything over 13 percent -- will contain more calories. Both red and white wine are low in carbohydrates, containing about 2 g and 1 g per serving respectively.
Warning
There is one type of wine that can ruin any diet -- dessert wine. These wines contain added sugar and therefore more calories. When ordering wine from a restaurant, dessert wines are usually in their own section on the menu. Retail wine outlets may have a separate section for dessert wines as well. Novice wine purchasers can check with a store employee. As a general rule, if the wine tastes sweet, it's likely a dessert wine.
Benefits
The health benefits of red wine outshine the benefits of white wine. According to the Yale-New Haven Hospital, red wine lowers bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol and lowers the incidence of blood clotting. These health benefits are attributed to the flavonoids found in red grape skins. There are flavonoids in white grape skins, but not enough to cause researchers to make the same claims for white wine. Cabernet sauvignon, pinot syrah and pinot noir contain the most flavonoids, which means they deliver the most benefits.
Recommendations
Since there are several risks associated with excessive drinking, the Yale-New Haven hospital recommends that men consume no more than one or two 4 oz. servings of wine daily. Women should consume just one serving. People who don't normally consume alcohol should talk to a doctor about what's right for them.
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