If you go to Google and look for tips on how to lose weight, you may well find recommendations to avoid drinking any alcohol because they are very caloric.
These recommendations are often accompanied by one caveat: unlike other beverages, wine could be consumed even by people who want to lose a few pounds because it would help with weight loss.
Red wine is a drink known for its content of flavonoids, which have antioxidant power. These substances are beneficial to our health because they work by neutralizing free radicals and preventing the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), reducing the risks related to diseases such as atherosclerosis.
But do these benefits also include a helping hand in the weight loss process? The answer depends on the source you consider.
Half-full glass: wine avoids weight gain and helps burn fat
According to a 2009 survey at Harvard University in the United States, drinking alcohol, including wine, could prevent weight gain. In this study, the scientists followed nearly 20,000 women for 13 years, observing their weight and drinking habits.
Read also: 10 Unusual Uses for Wine
As a result, when compared to participants who never drank, women who reported mild to moderate alcohol consumption had a lower risk of becoming overweight or becoming obese.
Among the beverages tested in the survey (beer, white wine, red wine and spirits), red wine was the most prominent in preventing weight gain.
A second study, conducted at Oregon State University in the USA, and published in 2014, showed that drinking red wine or juice made from dark-skinned grapes can really help overweight people burn fat. This effect would happen because of ellagic acid, present in this type of grape.
According to Dr. Neil Shay, one of the researchers in this study, ellagic acid slowed the growth of existing fat cells and inhibited the formation of new fat cells (when tested in the laboratory). In addition, this substance has been shown to accelerate fatty acid metabolism by the liver.
Half-empty glass: wine does NOT help you lose weight
So far, the news seems very good for wine lovers. Unfortunately, however, these results cannot be considered definitive.
Read also: Wine Guide for Beginners: Learn how to enjoy the wide variety of labels
The first reason for this is that Dr. Shay himself, who conducted the second study, made a caveat about the results. The research concluded that red wine can help burn fat and speed up fatty acid metabolism, but this does not necessarily translate into weight loss in all situations.
The second reason why we can't celebrate the good news with a toast is that the health-beneficial components of grapes can be lost during the winemaking process.
So grape peel would have positive effects on our body, but wouldn't red wine necessarily have those same effects? at least not in the same amount as the fruit in natura.
Can I drink my wine or throw it all down the drain?
Alcohol, regardless of drink, is a source of empty calories, which offer no important nutrients for our body. That is, the consumption of excess alcohol will lead to weight gain? and a host of other health problems.
Therefore, in order for you to drink your wine without accumulating weight and to enjoy its antioxidant properties, you must have a moderate consumption and make some substitutions.
Read also: Why is red wine good for your health?
For example, if you make a point of having a glass of wine daily, it may be a good idea to stop the mid-afternoon chocolate or dessert after lunch. The secret, as always, is balance.
Benefits Of Red Wine and Resveratrol To Fight Heart Disease and Cancer (April 2024)
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