Wine & Health: A Brief Guide

Surprising Benefits
of Drinking Wine

The Sulfate Debate Debunked

Why is Wine
Healthy?

Red vs. White...
vs. Beer

To Add or Not to Add:
Additives in Wine

The 'Why Not's' of Consumption

Benefits of Wine Drinking

Wine is not only a great addition to any meal or celebration, but wine has also been associated with a range of health benefits. However, it's important to understand the benefits and risks of drinking wine to make informed decisions about your health.

The Benefits of Wine

Moderate wine consumption has been linked to various health benefits, including:

Reduced risk of heart disease
Lower risk of developing diabetes
Improved brain function
Reduced risk of certain cancers
Reduced risk of age-related bone loss
Improved kidney function
Lower risk of fatty liver disease
Reduced risk of degenerative eye disease

In addition to the above benefits, wine is also associated with prolonged fertility in both males and females, and a serving of wine per day can lower your chances of clinical depression by 32%. Moreover, wine is the only alcoholic beverage that appears to possess notable protective effects against dementia.

The Truth About Sulfates

Are they bad?

Sulfites preserve the wine and slow chemical reactions, which cause wine to go bad.

Sulfites also stop bacteria and other yeasts from growing in the bottle.

Do they cause headaches?

Sulfites are not the cause of red wine headaches. But there are some exceptions. If you have a sensitivity to sulfites in foods such as french fries, cured meats, cheese, and canned soup, you should try to avoid sulfites. Keep in mind that sulfites in wine are surprisingly lower than many processed foods.

What wines have more sulfates?

Higher acidity wines are less stable, so they require sulfites for a longer shelf life.

Wines with a higher sugar content require more sulfites to prevent a second fermentation in the bottle (Sugar turns to alcohol)

Sulfites in Wine vs. Other Foods

Cheers to Your Health

What Makes Wine Healthy?

Chemical compounds called polyphenols, especially resveratrol, anthocyanins, and catechins, are the most effective wine antioxidants and are the key to wine’s health benefits. Resveratrol is the most beneficial polyphenol to your health. It prevents cardiovascular disease and protects brain and nerve cells. As tannins and flavonoids, polyphenols also provide structure, texture, and flavor to wine.

Antioxidants are also present in wine and protect against oxidative stress, which causes cancer, heart disease, and brain function decline.

Red, White, or Beer

Red Wine vs. White Wine
Red wine has about ten times more polyphenols than white wine, which makes it a healthier choice.

Beer vs. Wine
Wine has fewer calories and carbs than beer, and wine drinkers have a 34% lower mortality rate than beer drinkers. However, wine has more alcohol, so it's important to drink in moderation.

Choose Your Additives

Additives in Wine

Most additives used in standard winemaking are harmless and actually improve the quality of the wine. Sulfites, for example, are used to protect a wine from developing bacteria and oxidation, while fermentation nutrients help the yeast to ferment. However, there are some questionable additives, such as extra sugar added to wine to hide faults and small amounts of copper added to hide faults in the wine.

All In Moderation

If you're trying to stay healthy while enjoying wine, moderation is key. Drinking in excess can lead to liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, and other health problems.

Here To Help

Ask us what you could be drinking to promote a healthy wine lifestyle.