5 Health Benefits of Drinking White Wine

By Andrew Stratton

It is common knowledge that a glass of wine a day has many health benefits. However, it was always assumed that was attributed to reds only. But studies indicate that white wine has many of the same properties.

Antioxidants

It has been suggested that heart-healthy benefits come from the compounds found in the skins, which is what gives reds their color. These skins are separated out during the making of white wine. This process is what lead most to researchers to believe that the reds were the only ones with the heart-healthy benefits.

In the last ten years, however, research has indicated that the pulp of the grapes have many of the same antioxidants as the skin. As the pulp is obviously not separated out during the process. However, it is important to note that while there have been improvements in heart functions for white wine drinkers, it is not to the same degree as those who enjoy reds.

       
Disease Prevention

In the past, reds were also believed to have disease prevention qualities that white wine had lost. Thanks to the antioxidants being found within the pulp of the grape and not the skin, these prevention qualities are also found in the lighter drinks. These drinks contain the properties for lung disease prevention and even breast cancer.

Less Severe Hangover

One of the byproducts of fermentation is the hangover, an effect caused by chemicals called congeners. Congeners are also responsible for the color, aroma, and taste in an alcoholic beverage. Darker beverages tend to have a higher concentration of these chemicals. White wines are lighter in color and have a lower amount of congeners than red wines, which are deeper in hue. While you can still suffer from a hangover if you consume copious amounts, white wines are less severe than if you were to drink an entire bottle of a darker option.

Improved Glucose Control

Wines are full of sugar, especially sweet varieties. Despite the excess sugar, studies conducted by the European Society of Cardiology show that those who regularly consume a single glass or two each day have better control of their glucose. For those who have well-controlled diabetes, adding a glass a night can be part of a healthy diet.

Improved Sleep

Those who have problems sleeping might skip the medication and choose a glass of white wine instead. The studies performed by the European Society of Cardiology show that one or two glasses at the end of the night might actually improve your sleep. This is because the alcohol content is a depressant, slowing your system down and helping you to relax. The important thing to remember is not to drink too much. This will keep you from waking with a hangover.

When consumed in moderation, white wine has many of the same health benefits as reds. There is no reason to think of this drink as your "guilty pleasure" anymore, as long as you don't over do it.

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