A glass of wine in moderation generally is not considered to be detrimental to your health. In fact, red wines have been reported to help prevent heart disease and high blood pressure over time. Before you pop open a bottle of your favorite wine, however, consider the health consequences. Aside from long-term effects such as liver damage, drinking wine can make you gain weight or make it difficult for you to lose weight in the short term. This is due to the calorie and carbohydrate content in wine.
Types
All types of wine contain some amount of calories and carbohydrates, although the quantities vary. Weightlossforall.com reports that port wines have the highest calorie and carb content: 160 calories and 13.8 g of carbs per glass. One 4 oz. serving of dry red wine contains 83 calories and 0.5 g of carbs. A serving of medium white wine contains 99 calories and nearly 4 g of carbs. The Wellness Letter states that a 5 oz. serving of wine will average at about 5 g of carbs and 110 calories.
Calories
According to WineIntro.com, the calorie content in wine is derived from the alcohol. The higher the alcohol by volume, the higher in calories a particular wine may be. Over time, the calories add up. Although you may keep track of your daily calories from food, you may overlook caloric beverages. Wine counts, as well as milk, soda, or juices you may drink throughout the day. Simply reducing your calories from beverages can have a significant impact on your weight.
Carbs
Wine is fermented from grapes. The majority of the grapes are converted into alcohol. The Wellness Letter explains that sugars often are left over during the conversion. When you drink wine, these sugars are converted into carbohydrates. Long-term daily wine drinkers may find it difficult to lose weight in their midsection. Eliminating extra carbs from your diet, such as those derived from wine, can help you maintain a smaller waistline.
Misconceptions
The Wellness Letter explains that hard liquor does not contain carbohydrates. Other types of alcohol, such as beer and wine, naturally contain carbohydrates. It also is a misconception that alcohol is low in calories. Although some wines naturally may be lower in calories than others, the calories you consume in each glass can add up quickly.
Considerations
It is common to fill up your wine glass to the brim. If you do this on a consistent basis, you nearly triple the actual serving amount, which is 4 to 5 oz. Limit your wine serving to up to two servings. If you drink red wine for health-related reasons, limit your intake to one serving. Always talk to your doctor before starting to drink wine for health benefits, as you may do more harm than good. Also keep in mind that wine may not be the only obstacle in your weight loss regimen. Although reducing wine intake helps, you still must exercise and eat a sensible diet.
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