In my quest to learn more about wine, I always wondered what was better red or white wine, not only from a health point of view, but also in regards to etiquette as well.
The French Paradox indicates wine is healthy, period.
Which is better for your heath?
Research has shown that wine in moderation can reduce mortality in the areas of cardiovascular disease (up to 50%) and cancer (up to 24%). But how?
Alcohol
Alcohol consumed in moderation can reduce bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels, and can prevent blood clotting.
Antioxidants
Wine contains antioxidants which can reduce the ability of bad cholesterol being deposited into the artery wall thus reducing heart disease. These antioximdants also reduce the damage caused by toxins in the body (free radicals) which is linked to degenerative diseases such as cancer, alzheimers and parkinsons.
When grapes are converted to wine, it increases the antioxidant levels as well as producing alcohol thus containing far more antioxidants than taking things like concentrated grape extract.
Research shows that red wine contains more antioxidants than white wine but the amount does vary depending of things like the grape type, region, climate, soil, and oaked wine (oaked wines have more antioxidants than unoaked wines).
Research also shows that even though red wine may contain more antioxidants, there are different types of antioxidant molecules and the antioxidants found in white wine actually has increased beneficial effects on the health than those found in red.
In general, red wine is considered slightly healthier than white wine, mainly because of its higher levels of antioxidants like resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds are linked to benefits like improved heart health and reduced inflammation.
Here’s a simple comparison:
- Red wine is made with the grape skins left on during fermentation, giving it more polyphenols (the antioxidants). Resveratrol, in particular, has been studied for potential benefits like protecting blood vessels and reducing bad cholesterol.
- White wine is fermented without the skins, so it has fewer polyphenols, but it still offers some antioxidants and can be lighter and lower in calories than some reds.
White wines also contain phenolic compounds and thiols, which are important antioxidants. Caffeic acid, found in white wine, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Key points:
- Red wine = more antioxidants → potentially better for heart health.
- White wine = lighter, sometimes less sugar in dry varieties → potentially better for lower calorie intake.
BUT — health benefits only show up with moderate drinking (usually defined as 1 glass per day for women, 1–2 for men). Drinking more cancels out the benefits and increases health risks.
To summarize, they’re both great in moderation. But red wine contains resveratrol which is hard for any plant to compete with.
If you want to see the chemical composition of wine, click here.
