Red, white or rosé: Which is the healthiest wine for you?

WH search the stats and chat with the experts

Rose wine
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The last hurrah of summer – also known as August bank holiday – is nearly upon us. Meaning? For plenty of us, a few glasses of something dry and crisp, to kick the three day-weekend off.

Well we all know that excessive boozing isn’t good for anyone—Drink Aware warn that alcohol contains what are known as “empty calories” and can cause weight gain, liver cirrhosis, higher risks of diabetes and stroke. But what harm does your average one to two glasses a night actually do?

In the name of damage limitation, WH spoke to the experts to uncover which wines you should opt for and which you’d really rather not.

Wine nutrition facts: here's what you need to know

Red wine calories

One medium sized glass of red wine—that’s a standard 175ml serving in most pubs—clocks in at 148 calories. That’s the same as 15 almonds, a packet of Propercorn sweet and salty popcorn or two thirds of a mint Aero chocolate bar.

A large 250ml glass contains 211 calories, which is the same as a bag of Wotsits, or if you’re going the whole hog, a whole 750ml bottle is 644 calories; think a McDonald’s Cheeseburger and medium fries. Choose wisely.

White wine calories

The same 175ml serving of white wine clocks in at 142 calories—that’s the same as a large banana.

If you’re more inclined to order a Pinot Grigio than a Merlot, you may be pleased to hear that white wine is lower in calories than red, with your average 750ml bottle containing 605 calories. Think a McDonald's cheeseburger minus the fries and with a Crunchie McFlurry, instead.

Rose wine calories

If Pinot Blush is your vice of choice, you're looking at 147 calories for a 175ml glass, nearly the same as a glass of red. Not an alcohol drinker? Grab a Starbucks Cappuccino—it has the same amount of calories.

Is red wine healthier for you?

Sure, it may be higher in calories, but research has shown that red wine may be healthier for you. It's not all just grapes (even if they are the main star of the show in most wines).

Nutritionist Resource member Amy Prior says: "Red wine is more nutritious than white as it contains the flavonoids resveratrol and quercetin, which are both potent antioxidants.

"These, which are found in the skin of grapes, are associated with improved cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation and increased lifespan."

Is red wine better for your blood sugar?

According to the research, yes. How so? Put simply, red wine isn’t as stressful for the body as it doesn’t make your blood sugar levels spike. It’s known as a safe alcohol option for those with type 2 diabetes as it has been linked to improved cardiovascular rates.

What's wine made of?

Aside from the grapes—obviously—wines typically contain yeast and sulphur. Check the label when you buy to avoid added nasties—as a general rule of thumb, the fewer ingredients, the better.

The wine-making process itself involves a lot of pulp. That's mushed up black or red grapes with their skins on for red wine, and pressed white grapes with skins removed for white. Simple enough.

What are the side effects of drinking wine?

If you’re hitting it hard, there’s a reason the side effects of alcohol may translate to flu-like symptoms the next morning—aka, if a hen-do gets out of hand, your liver will be working overtime to process the strain of sorting through the alcohol toxins and other toxins in the body, meaning you’re more likely to fall ill with other bugs and illnesses.

"Drinking alcohol depletes our pancreatic enzymes which help to absorb nutrients," says Prior.

"It also makes the liver work overtime to prioritise alcohol in the detoxification queue, so it’s a double whammy on the nutrient deficiency front. The way the liver works may sound like a great trick, but when alcohol gets this fast track pass, other toxins get pushed to the back of the line for detoxification, causing them to accumulate."

How many glasses of wine should you drink a week?

You’re only meant to have seven small glasses of wine a week.

Yes, really. A small glass is defined by Drink Aware as one 175ml glass and 2.3 units. NHS guidelines recommend no more than 14 units per week on a regular basis.

How should you drink your wine?

From a bucket? Perhaps not. But take a nutritionists advice by enjoying in moderation and being experimental.

As much as wine, just like chocolate, cake or crisps, isn’t something to be enjoyed excessively, there’s no harm in the little and often approach.

In fact, studies from the American Society for Microbiology and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have shown that drinking small amounts of red wine regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease, raise levels of omega 3 fatty acids believed to promote heart disease and help balance your gut microbiome.

Grier’s advice?

"I like to drink red wine as a sangria so you get a bit extra benefit from the fruit pieces, which taste delicious when soaked in a bit of vino. Take red wine, add some freshly squeezed fruit juice (it doesn’t have to be orange), plus some apple chunks, berries and orange wedges. Leave to cool and serve. "

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