This is a collaborative post: Not all wine is created equal, which is evident with cheap, low-quality ones versus bottles that are aged, rare, and expensive. However, there are also differences that can be traced down to how the grape is used, and this can have a tremendous impact on taste and its effects on your health. This article will discuss why red wine is generally regarded as the healthier choice amongst health professionals and why you should make the switch if you haven’t already.
What Is The Difference?
The key differences between red and white wines can be attributed to how each one is manufactured, and it has everything to do with the skin of the grape.
Before they are fermented, the winery can choose to keep the skin, or they can separate it from the juice – keeping it is what allows red wine to have its deep, rich color, whereas removing it will produce white wine.
Using this method has allowed for a diverse group of wines to be created that suit different people’s taste buds. However, aside from appearance and taste, the skin can still influence your drinking experience and potentially your health, which you will learn about in the next section.
Resveratrol
In red wine, not only is the color retained by keeping the skin, but it also preserves a very important antioxidant known as resveratrol.
Found primarily concentrated in the skin of red or purple grapes, resveratrol is a polyphenol that has various properties that can be beneficial to your health.
For example, resveratrol may be able to:
- Prevent oxidative stress
- Reduce cholesterol
- Decrease inflammation
- Regulate insulin and blood sugar levels
These kinds of perks can help promote heart health and weight management and can prevent chronic health conditions associated with these issues, such as diabetes. Antioxidants like resveratrol may be able to reduce the risk of cancer too, but more research needs to be carried out to support this theory.
The Verdict
Wine, in general, can be an effective way to relax after a long day when used on occasion and in moderation, but if you have to make the healthiest choice, red wine edges white due to the higher antioxidant content found in the skin.
However, if you prefer white wine, it’s important to keep in mind that it still has antioxidants as well that can have a positive effect on your health.
Quality also matters too – cheap red wine might not be as nutritious as a bottle of white wine that is of a higher grade. Nonetheless, if you pick two different bottles that are of comparable quality, the consensus is that red wine will be the healthier option.
While there are benefits to having a glass of wine, it can’t replace healthy and proactive lifestyle choices like having a balanced diet, getting exercise, and having solid coping skills. All of these can be worked on and learned, especially by connecting to a counsellor or therapist, such as the ones found at BetterHelp.
By getting these in order, you give yourself the best opportunity to live a healthy and happy life, and your glass of wine can just make it that much better.
Conclusion
While red wine may be the healthier between the two types, wine is all about preference, and there is something for just about everyone. If white wine is your go-to beverage, always strive to get the best possible kind because this can have a profound effect on your overall drinking experience in terms of taste and nutrients. However, if you’re not partial to either one of them, give a high-quality red wine a try because there are plenty of tasty ones out there, and research shows that it has additional health advantages.