Introduction
There has been a long standing and common belief that drinking red wine was better for your health than drinking whites. This is simply because red wines contain more of the substance resveratrol (the grape-skin antioxidant that most scientists believe gives red wine its anti ageing and heart-healthy properties) than white wines.
But there is very good news for white wine drinkers including you, Chardonnay fans. Whilst white wines contain many of the substances that red wine has, white wines have some some additional ingredients that have very positive effects on human health. Hereunder I will explain more to you about the health benefits of white wine.
In fact white-wine is as healthy as red wine!
Scientists now believe that this alcoholic elixir is just as healthy as its red counterpart. Leading researchers in the white wine’s health aspects recently discovered that the drink has similar cardio protective effects as red vintages, helping prevent heart attacks and other major health problems associated with the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
You should also be ware that as white wine already had many of the same positive health benefits as red wine does, it was never far behind. It, too, contains flavonoids that have antioxidant properties, which can help prevent cancer. In fact, according to a study from the University of Barcelona, white wines may even have a higher antioxidant capacity than red wines.
Here is a summary of the currently known health benefits of white wine.
Antibacterial
Alcohol that is in white wine would have a disinfecting effect. Some cultures use white wine to sterilize wounds. Resveratrol helps reduce inflammation, prevents the oxidation of LDL “bad” cholesterol, and makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together and form the clots that can lead to a heart attack.
Weight loss
White wine could be beneficial towards achieving weight loss, according to a 2004 study from the University of Hohenheim (Germany). The study found that patients interested in losing weight and on a calorie-restricted diet may benefit from drinking white wine. A diet with 10 percent of energy derived from white wine was found to be as effective in assisting weight loss as a diet with 10 percent of energy derived from juices–plus the additional benefits from consuming wine.
Cardiovascular (matters of the heart or blood vessels)
White wine’s cardio-boosting qualities don’t stem from the same compounds that have made red wine the number one cocktail among doctors and nutritionists. Because red wine is extracted from both the pulp and skin of crushed grapes and white wine is made only from the pulp, white wine contains less resveratrol. Instead of that, white wine has two strong antioxidants of its own, tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, also found in olive oil, that aren’t present in red wine. Scientists think these antioxidants are what makes white wines so good for the heart.
Slowing the ageing process
Believe it or not, but it is now scientifically proven that white wine slows ageing! While researching white wine’s cardiovascular benefits, scientists discovered the drink activates the gene Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which helps slow the ageing process—previously, scientists believed that only wines with a higher content of resveratrol stimulated the gene.
Diabetes
White wine has also been shown to help prevent and regulate diabetes. Part of what makes wine healthy is the alcohol itself, says Arthur Klatsky, MD, a cardiologist and epidemiologist with Kaiser Permanent Medical Care Program in Oakland, California. “There are benefits to light-to-moderate drinking of any alcoholic beverage,” affirms Klatsky, who has studied the relationship between alcohol and human health since the 1960s. Light drinking seems to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
Further benefits
Ongoing research looks promising that the drink may boost the immune system, increase blood flow in patients with renal (kidney) problems, and act as an antiviral agent.
What’s more, studies conducted in the past six years have found that moderate consumption of white wine can lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, increase cognitive function in the elderly, and help prevent the growth of streptococci, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and sore throats.
There are a few studies that suggest light alcohol consumption is associated with a lower rate of stroke. Alcohol also raises good HDL cholesterol and helps with anti clotting.
Supporting Klatsky’s claim, additional research has found that moderate consumption of alcohol, mostly wine and beer, can help increase antioxidant absorption, lower the mortality rate in men, reduce levels of the bacteria that cause peptic ulcers, and improve bone density in women.
Conclusion
Contrary to common belief white wine is probably as beneficial to your health as consuming red wine. A series of scientists and recent research have abundantly proven the positive effects of drinking white wine.
I just like to clarify that this is not an invitation to drink wine in huge quantities every day. It should be noted that health benefits will only occur if this magical liquid is drunk in moderation. Moderation being defined as no more than two 5-ounce glasses of wine a day for men, and one 5-ounce glass daily for women.
I do hope that this summary will contribute to your ultimate wine drinking experience and joy. If you ever need advice on good wines, then feel free to ask a question in the comment boxes below at any time and I will come back to you within 24 hours.
If you are a white wine drinker , in particular Chardonnay, you will find access to some excellent Chardonnay wines plus their reviews and ratings in the category product reviews or by clicking on the three images to the right (for mobile users just under this text) for world best Chardonnays for delivery to either the USA, UK or Australia. As I know that the Chardonnay is the USA’s favourite white wine, I have reviewed and rated some excellent Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines. Just click the names. Click here for some popular Chardonnays.
How interesting this information was. I am 80 years old and was only an occasional wine drinker but lately, I started reading all about the wines and wine growers and am just fascinated. I recently joined a wine club called Naked wines and have also started pairing my one glass of wine a day with the foods that complement each other. I decided it’s time in my life to spoil myself a little. I don’t think I’ve ever had chardonnay but I do have a bottle of it and will try it tonight with my Pork roast. Cheers to you.
So good to read this, Donna. It is never too late to spoil yourself and to do it with wine is surely the real thing. If you would need help with pairing wine with foods, then my site has this information too. Just type your keyword in the search box to the right. I sure hope you did like the Chardonnay with your pork roast the other day. If you tried a full-bodied one, you should have been very much ok.
I have read that red wine has more resveratol than white… BUT… the amounts are perhaps somewhat protective… but really pretty minuscule… I personally prefer whites, late harvest Rieslings in particular… I take a resveratol supplement almost daily, and that provides me MANY times the resveratol I would get in a glass or two of red wine.
I just tried a bottle of the ’17 B. Lovely Late Harvest Riesling… VERY tasty and not expensive!
Thanks for your addition to the article.
Hey Jerry, What about Mead as a white wine. I’ve never been big into wines, but I have tried mead and find it really great. Minimal side affects compared to beer… Doesn’t interfere with my meds like other alcohols do. Just curious if is as good for me as some of those other white wines?
Mead may have an alcohol percentage between 8 and 20%. Swedish scientists are manufacturing their own mead, they believe could help fight against antibiotic resistance.
Scientists Tobias Olofsson and Alejandra Vasquez have researched bees and their honey for years. In 2014, their research found that honey itself, combined with lactic acid bacteria found in the honey stomach of bees, was successful in treating wounds in horses that had previously been resistant to treatment.
They say the combination of lactic acid bacteria and honey produces hundreds of antibacterial substances, which have killed off all of the human pathogens they have been tested against. So yes, mead definitely has health benefits.
Hi Jerry,
I am mostly a red fan, though I do like a good pinot grigio. Do you have any recommendations for this varietal?
Thank you for the informative article!
Sooz
Hello there, I think Pinot Grigio is also a very good choice.If you are in the US, I am promoting wine.com Chardonnays, however, they also have a good selection of Grigios. Here you can access one of the finest.
I found this very interesting because I myself prefer white wine and was disappointed to see it didn’t seem to have the same health benefits as red wine. I didn’t know about the flavonoids and that they can help prevent cancer that is awesome!
I also had no idea that some cultures use white wine as a sterilizer for wounds. That is very interesting!
I have heart problems in my family, so it is good to know that white wine has antioxidants that are good for the heart. And I had never heard of wine being incorporated with bone density!
THank you for the new information!
Hi Rachel, it was about time to announce the health benefits of white wine, the ones on red wine reported so many times already. It is very strange indeed that white wine not come to the fore earlier; after all both red and white wines have the same basic ingredient: grapes. I am glad I could be of help to you.
I was not aware of all the positive effects drinking white wine has. The fact that it may even have a higher antioxidant capacity than red wines is a huge plus for me, since I am always trying to boost antioxidants and what better way of doing so with a nice glass of white wine. Thank you for the information!
Thanks Juan, I thought it was about time that white wine, in my case Chardonnay, took its rightful place next to red wine. Hence this article. Furthermore, I agree that drinking a nice cool glass of white wine and the wine having some very beneficial health effects, is one of the best ways of enjoying a good time. Either by yourself or better yet in pleasant company. Cheers, Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Great Website and reviews are very informative to read. First, I love drinking chardonnay because it just tastes so darn good. Second, I am glad to hear that white wine is just as good for your health as red wine. Do you have any recommendations on where to order wine and have it shipped to the United States?
Yours Truly,
Carlton
Hi Carlton, If you love drinking Chardonnay, then this could be your site. Here you can find the best Chardonnays worldwide. For my best recommendations, you should go to this page where I summarize my Chardonnay reviews. Each review rates the wine and contains banners, which you can click with my affiliate code, which take you straight to the wine merchant.There are twelve reviews for wine for delivery to the USA. I trust this answers your question. Cheers, Jerry
Very nice article!
Hi there, thank you for your reaction to this article about health benefits of wine. Cheers, Jerry
Great blog! Thanks for sharing health benefits of white wine.
Thanks Hop, If there is anything else you like to know about Chardonnay, just let me know. Cheers, Jerry
Wow. I had no idea, I thought the redder it is the better it is. ha And it was very cool to learn that it could even help regulate diabetes or help with weight loss.
I will have to come back to read more, for now I just wanted to drop in and check this out. Really appreciate your research.
Linda
Thank you Linda for visiting my site. I am happy to learn that you are interested. I will keep building this site to advise of anything relevant to wine in general and Chardonnay in particular. You can check out some Californian and Australian wines review. Cheers, Jerry.
Hello, Jerry,
I love the layout of your site and the theme (obviously) Who doesn’t love wine?! Your website is very appealing to the eye and very readable. There’s just one thing that isn’t working (I’m not sure if it is on my end or something you need to fix): When I click on the tabs on the left-hand side, the page is blank. Nothing shows up. You might want to check that out. I don’t know if it is just my load time on my computer. Other than that, i love how everything is set up, and I can tell you really know your stuff about wine 🙂 I love it!
Thank you for all the information,
Whitley
Thanks Whitley, that is much appreciated and thank you for the warning. I will certainly check out if something is amiss. I am encouraged that you like my work and will happily go on gathering more information on wine. Cheers, Jerry.
Great website! I always knew that drinking Chardonnay was good for me, now you’ve proved it. I also enjoy Santa Margherita’s Pinot Grigio as often as possible and my favorite red would be any Merlot from Chile.
Site bookmarked!
Hi Lori, thanks for the comment and especially for bookmarking my site. Chile is an upcoming wine country and is very well suited for Chardonnays, because of its climate. It is said that some of the best Chardonnays will be coming from Chile soon. Cheers, Jerry.