What is the truth about Wine? Is it good for you, bad for you, or both at once?
Since at least 6000 BC, we’ve been consuming Wine. Grapes fermenting and spoiling in a container probably led to the discovery of our first wines. According to a Persian fable, wine was discovered accidentally by a princess who tried to poison her by eating grapes that had spoiled and fermented in a container. Instead, she fell asleep and woke up feeling relieved from her stress.
Wine was considered to be safer than water until the 18th century. The acids and alcohols contained in Wine inhibit or kill most harmful microorganisms. Jesus may have converted water to Wine. Water is generally safe today, but there are other reasons people drink Wine.
What is in Wine?
Grapes
The juice is separated from the stems and skins of grapes by crushing them. The yeast converts most of the sugars into alcohol. The fermentation process varies for different types of Wine. Oak barrels are used to impart flavour, and the wines can be aged for many months or years.
Additives
On wine labels, you may find the words “contains Sulphites”. Sulphur dioxide, a by-product of fermentation, is often added to wines for its antioxidant and preservative properties. Ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate (also known by the name vitamin C) are also possible preservatives. On wine labels, you may see the words ‘contains trace of dairy, fish or egg products’. This can seem odd. These ingredients can be found in wine in tiny traces. They are used to filter and clarify the Wine. They are not tasted and can only be detected with scientific instruments. However, winemakers are required to declare them on the label as they may cause allergies.
Nutrients
Many nutritionists refer to alcohol, including Wine, as having a high energy content without any other nutrients. Around 360kJ are provided by a 100ml wine glass, with the majority of that energy coming from alcohol. Wine contains little macronutrients, such as carbohydrates and protein. It also has only traces of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. It does have varying levels of antioxidants, which is what gives it some of its purported health benefits.
Kilojoules
You should watch your weight and be very careful about what you eat. But it is easy to forget what you drink can have an impact on the kilojoules you consume each day. Compare the kilojoules of two glasses (standard) of Wine to other foods that you consume. Remember that alcohol does not provide you with the nutrients your body needs.
Food/drink Energy
200ml Wine (2 standard glasses). 720kJ
Pottle of low-fat yoghurt 325-570kJ
Muesli bars 440-700kJ
Banana 550kJ
Healthy Small Muffins 605kJ
Toast with poached eggs 730kJ
Chunky Bar Milk Chocolate 1077kJ
Sugar
Many people think that wine is high in sugar, but we have said that it is the alcohol that provides the majority of energy. The majority of Wine that is considered “dry”, meaning it has no added sugar after fermentation, only contains 1.5-3g of residual (residual) sugar per litre. This is equivalent to 1/3-2/3 teaspoons of sugar. New Zealand winemakers add sugar in small quantities to enhance the taste of their Wine. In a glass of sparkling or medium Wine, you might find the equivalent of half to three-quarters of a teaspoon. A sweet wine, such as a dessert wine, contains around two teaspoons of sugar per 100ml.
A health drink?
The French paradox describes France’s low heart disease rate despite its high-fat diet. The French diet, unlike the Mediterranean diet, is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and olive oil and is high in saturated fats. French people also consume a lot of Wine, particularly red Wine. The French drink over 50 litres per year, compared to 12 litres by Kiwis. Remember that we drink more other alcoholic beverages. The high consumption of wines has led to extensive research on its health benefits.
When making red Wine, grape skins, seeds, and fermented grape juice are all included. This is why it appears that red Wine has more antioxidants (the antioxidants in the grape seeds and skins are concentrated). Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red Wine, is believed to be responsible for the French paradox.
In recent research in the US, it was found that mice fed a high-fat diet while also being treated with resveratrol tended to live longer and did not suffer from health issues normally associated with obesity. The livers of untreated mice were filled with fatty deposits, whereas those of the mice treated with resveratrol looked normal. Overall, the resveratrol seemed to counteract the negative effects of a fatty diet. The obese mice were in good health. There’s still a lot of work to do before we can make any wine-drinking recommendations. The amount of resveratrol that was given to the obese mice is equivalent to you and me drinking 100 glasses of Wine per day!
It is well known that moderate or light drinking can reduce the risk of heart disease in post-menopausal women and men older than 45. This heart-protective effect could extend to other people. Moderate wine consumption is also believed to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but more research needs to be done.
Is it a health trap?
Take a moment before you buy that case of wine ‘for your own good’ to think about the negative effects of wine drinking. These problems are caused by drinking more than recommended.
If you are a woman who drinks three (100ml!) This is for women who drink three (100ml!) glasses of Wine per day.
What is moderation?’
The standard drink is a way to measure the pure alcohol content of a beverage. A standard drink is equal to 10g of pure alcohol. Standard drinks can have varying amounts of alcohol. The standard drink is 100ml, but some sources use 80ml. A standard glass of Wine is the equivalent of a single drink. Pour 80ml or 100ml into your regular wine glass. Hopefully, you won’t be surprised! When I measured the Wine I had poured into one of my large, stylish wine glasses and found that it was closer to 125ml. Ouch!) Ouch!)
The maximum recommended number of standard drinks for responsible drinking
Women’s Day
- Within a week: not more than 14
- Limit your daily consumption to no more than two (2) litres.
- Maximum 4 in a single session
Men can be a good source of information.
- Within a week: not more than 21
- Limit your daily consumption to not more than 3
- Maximum 6 in a single session
Why not drink HTML0?
You should not drink if:
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Driving is a good idea
- Operating machinery
- Take advice on taking medication
Why do men drink more?
Women and men can both process alcohol at different rates. This is not a result of differences in weight. A man with the same body mass as a female can do so more efficiently than a woman.
- Men have 70-80% greater efficiency in the stomach for the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme.
- Lean muscle is more oxygenated than fat tissue. Women tend to have more fat tissue, so men will have more blood to circulate the alcohol in before it reaches the liver to be broken down (so the blood-alcohol level of men is lower).
- Alcohol can be processed more quickly by the liver of men.
Moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial to health, but excessive drinking can have serious long-term consequences. Alcohol is known to be a risk factor for several cancers, including those of the pharynx and oesophagus, as well as the larynx. This is a known risk factor for a number of cancers, including those in the pharynx, larynx, liver, colon and rectum.
The “alcohol-free Day.”
Theoretically, there’s no reason not to drink every day as long as it is done in moderation. You don’t have to worry if you drink one glass or two glasses of Wine with dinner every night (as long as it’s not buckets). If one glass quickly becomes three, regular days without alcohol (AFDs) can help keep drinking under control.
Alcohol consumption is closely related to blood pressure. Although a first drink can lower blood pressure, drinking regularly beyond the recommended level can raise blood pressure. The more you drink, the more it will get.
Alcohol abuse can have negative physical and psychological effects. Social consequences can be severe if you drink excessively, whether it’s a short-term or long-term habit. If you drink, there are a lot of good reasons to limit your intake. If you don’t already drink, there is no good reason to begin.
Cheers!
New Zealand is known for its outstanding wines. Drinking Wine at the end of the day can help you relax and socialise. It is best to drink Wine with food, as it slows down the absorption of alcohol. Drinking water simultaneously with Wine (or alternating them) allows you to enjoy the Wine while quenching your thirst.
