Wine with benefits

When it comes to dieting or losing weight, experts would advise cutting down or abstaining from sugar, carbs and alcohol. While it is feasible to do away with chocolate cakes and commit to hitting the gym five days a week, the idea of having to give up alcohol is an absolute bummer. Imagine having to say no to an ice-cold Moscato while all your friends are busy boozing under the sun. This would probably make you want to throw out the weighing scale and diet plan altogether. 

But, the good news is, you don’t have to give up wine to lose weight. And even better, wines when consumed properly can help with weight loss and bring about other health benefits. In this article, we are going to share all about the shunned step-child of the food pyramid - Wine, its benefits and how you can even fit your favourite wines into your weight loss plan.

Alcohol’s Bad Reputation for Weight Loss

Let’s begin by understanding why weight loss experts would advise people to steer away from alcohol. The truth is, drinking a glass or two of wine will not sabotage any of your weight loss goals. It is what individuals do while under the influence of alcohol that matters.

Alcohol Lowers Inhibitions and Increases Impulsivity 

As published by Psychology Today, alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases impulsivity - making it difficult for individuals to consider potential consequences for their actions. When inhibition-lowering effects are mixed with a tempting plate of truffle fries or any tasty junk food, that is when problems would arise.

We know that pizza, hot wings and ice cream are detrimental to our waistlines while sober. Yet, all cares are thrown to the wind after knocking back on a few drinks. It is these bad drinking habits and poor choice of food combo that would render a negative impact on our weight loss plan. However, this can be averted as long as we practice the art of mindful eating. 

Truth is, a Glass or Two of Wine is not a Problem

Mindful eating is a habit of being conscious about our calorie intake. Studies show that people who are mindful of what they eat on a regular basis, can maintain control over their eating while drinking. 

There is an apt saying of “ I am not dieting, I am practicing self control”. While most of us are looking to shed excess fats, a healthy lifestyle should be our long term goal. As long as we have the mindset to enjoy food as a nutritional tool rather than a means to feel good, enjoying a glass or two of wine while trying to stay fit is definitely not a problem.

Now that we have clear the name of alcohol and understand how we can take ownership of our food choices, let’s discuss the added health benefits of wine. 

 

Red Wine Health Benefits

For the longest time, red wine has been the subject of study for its health benefits. Monks from medieval monasteries were believed to have lived longer because of their regular, moderate drinking of wine. And today, science has proven that red wine does have properties that are good for health. 

Red Wine, a Natural Antioxidant

Medical News Today published that red wine - made from crushed dark grapes, is a rich source of resveratrol, a natural antioxidant in the skin of grapes. Antioxidants are known to reduce oxidative stress that is apparent in diseases including cancers and heart disease.

Red Wine Helps with Weight Loss

On weight loss, in 2015, researchers at the Washington State University found that resveratrol helps to convert “white fat” into “beige fat” - reducing weight gain by actively burning calories. At Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, scientists concluded that red wine creates thermogenesis, which raises body temperature by burning more calories.Lastly, researchers at the University of Alberta, Canada, found that red wine has similar weight-reducing benefits to exercising. 

Low Glycemic Index

But what about the calories? You may ask. Yes, wine, like everything else that is edible, comes with its own set of calories. Red wine typically has about 125 cal per glass - equivalent to consuming one and a half medium-sized chocolate chip cookies. 

However, the high calories of wine are negated by its low GI (glycemic index). GI is used to measure glucose levels of different foods produced in the bloodstream. 

Foods with high GI; cakes and bread produce large amounts of glucose. Glucose are sugar molecules that would ultimately store as fats in the body. However, some high-calorie foods such as nuts and wine have a low GI and therefore lesser glucose. This further explains why wine will not make you put on weight.

 

Recommended Red Wine Varietals

However, variety does matter when it comes to analyzing health benefits from red wine. Not all red wines are created equal. Different cultivars of grapes contain varying nutrients depending on the grape varietals, fermentation process and age.

The Pinot Noir

Pinot Noirs are grown in cool, rainy climates and are known to have the highest concentrations of resveratrols among any red wines in the world. Some Pinot Noirs to explore include Robert Sirugue Bourgogne Pinot Noir from France and Mud House Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from New Zealand.

The Malbec

Malbec grapes are cultivated in the hot and dry climate of Argentina, at the feet of the Andes Mountains. They have some of the thickest skins of all wine-grape varieties and therefore are loaded with concentrations of resveratrols. Moreover Malbec is known to contain on average four times the antioxidant content as popular merlots and nearly twice as much as cabernet sauvignons. Popular Malbec wines from Argentina include Trapiche Vineyards Malbec and Marraso Modern Malbec

 

What About White Wine?

For those who prefer white wines, not to worry. You don’t need to eschew white wine in the name of health. White wine also has its health benefits and positive impact on weight loss. 

The special sauce in both the red and white wine is the resveratrol that aids in weight loss, cancer prevention and cardiovascular health. But red wines do have a higher resveratrol content than white wine. And this is the reason why it usually gets all the fanfare. White wine, however, is not inferior to red wine. 

White Wine Health Benefits

When it comes to antioxidants, white wine has the same or higher antioxidant capacity as red wine. A study from the University of Buffalo reveals that drinking white wine directly correlates with better lung function. While red wine also benefits the lungs, white wine has proven to be much stronger. 

Recommended White Wine Varietals

Again, as with white wines, varieties do matter when it comes to picking a bottle that is beneficial for health. In general, white wines provide more sweetness than red wines. A compass for choosing healthy white wines would be to look into the carbs and sugar content of the varietals. 

The Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. Most Sauvignon Blancs wines are completely sugar-free or have little to no residual sugar. Its net carbs only amount to 2g. Popular Sauvignon Blanc to explore include Ca Bolani Sauvignon Blanc from Italy and Hardys The Riddle Sauvignon Blanc from Australia. Both are delightfully known for its and fruity aromas and flavours

The Chardonnay

Chardonnay has a net carb of 3g and its grape seeds were found to contain the highest amount of flavonoids and antioxidants of any grapes - compounds that are known to help with weight loss, cholesterol and even controlling diabetes. Chardonnays tend to have fruity flavours but those aged in oaks such as Maison Castel Chardonnay and Gallo Family Vineyards Chardonnay would have notes of butter and vanilla flavour.

 

Guilt Free Wine Sips

Now that we've sold you on the health benefits of drinking wines and the optimal wine varietals to drink, we hope you are psyched about getting an almost daily free pass to guilt-free wine sips - Almost because it is about indulging in moderation. For health-boosting purposes, it is advised for women to take one glass (5 ounces) of wine daily and two for men. No more, no less. 

If you are ready to stock up your home bar with some healthy booze and try out some of the aforementioned bottles, do visit us at Cellabration! We offer the best prices for all our wines and provide free alcohol delivery for all you golden people who purchase anything that adds up to $99 or more. Happy shopping and cheers to a healthier and happier you!