When consumed in moderation, wine can be a healthy part of any diet, including one focused on weight loss. Wine has even been linked to cardiovascular health benefits. Because different wine brands vary in their nutritional content, it is important to check the labels for any wine you drink.
Nutritional Overview
A serving size for red wine is 5 oz. In this glass, there are about 100 calories. There is no fat or cholesterol, and trace amounts of protein and sodium. The carbohydrate range can vary from 2 g per serving to almost 6 g per serving for sweeter varieties, but the average is 2.9 g of carbohydrates per serving. Wine also contains less than 1 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamins B-1, B-2, and B-3. The alcohol by volume content of red wine varies from 12 to 16 percent.
Health Benefits
According to the Yale-New Haven Hospital, women should limit alcoholic beverages to 1 and 2 drinks per day, respectively. Antioxidants found in red wine grapes are thought to be responsible for its ability to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. These antioxidants, known as flavonoids, reduce bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol and inhibit blood clotting. Red wine is the most heart-healthy alcohol available, and preliminary research indicates that it may also reduce cancerous tumor growths and aid in treating neurological disorders. Researchers at the University of California determined that the wine varieties with the highest levels of flavonoids are cabernet sauvignon, petit syrah and pinot noir.
Health Risks
Despite its health benefits, researchers do not advocate developing a wine habit in pursuit of health benefits. First, these benefits are only evident in people who are otherwise healthy. Alcohol can exacerbate certain existing conditions and should be avoided by those with pancreatitis, liver disease, uncontrolled hypertension, depression and congestive heart failure. Additionally, certain individuals are predisposed to alcoholism. Overindulgence in red wine can lead to many short and long term health risks, such as damage to nerve cells, the liver and the pancreas.
Alcohol and Weight
Alcohol can negatively impact attempts to control or reduce weight. First, the calories consumed in red wine are empty calories, meaning they do not fill you up but still add up. If you choose to drink, it is important to account for those calories. An extra glass of red wine, at 100 calories each, adds up to over 10 lbs. of fat gained in just one year, since there are 3,500 excess calories per pound of fat gained. Additionally, alcohol can reduce your willpower, making it easier to succumb to temptation. Alcohol also acts as an appetite stimulant for many people.
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