After a busy day, it’s tempting to unwind with a glass of wine, but you may worry about the calorie content. There are low-calorie options that will stay within your wine for weight loss goals.
White wine is generally lower in calories than red wine, with an average of 121 calories per 5-ounce serving. Choosing a dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, can reduce the calorie count even further.
But what about red wine? Some studies point out that consuming moderate amounts of red wine can aid in weight loss, particularly in the belly area.
This is because red wine contains a compound called resveratrol, which has been shown to have fat-burning properties. But, it’s essential to keep in mind that excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to weight gain.
Regarding weight loss, it’s important to remember that alcohol should be consumed in moderation. The recommended daily limit for women is one drink per day, while men should aim for no more than two drinks per day.
Additionally, it’s essential to maintain a healthy diet and exercise to achieve your weight loss goals. So, go ahead and enjoy that glass of wine, but remember to do so in moderation and as part of a balanced lifestyle.
How Does Red Wine Affect Weight Loss?
Red wine is the go-to relaxing alcoholic beverage that many people lean towards, so fully understanding how this impacts your weight loss journey is important.
Red wine is essentially fermented grapes and is therefore loaded with antioxidants.
Good to note: Red wine nutrition
- A 5-ounce (148-mL) serving of red wine contains:
- Calories: 125
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbs: 4 grams
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Alcohol: 16 grams
It is good to remember that various brands of red wine are available so that the nutritional content would differ accordingly.
The secret to red wine is that it is rich in resveratrol and other antioxidants. Resveratrol, specifically, is a polyphenol found in red wine that plays a role in transforming stubborn white fat into burnable brown fat.
A study carried out at Harvard found a connection between wine and weight loss. Researchers examined 20,000 women and found that those who drank wine in moderation daily were 70% less likely to be overweight.
Even more interesting, the weight could be shredded off if you down your wine before bed.
A study conducted in 2012, which observed the effects of resveratrol on bees, found that the compound helps curb appetite. It could be that wine discourages late-night snacking by satisfying your taste buds.
This compound and the antioxidants may benefit blood sugar control, heart health, and inflammation. Furthermore, consuming red wine in moderation may aid against excess weight gain.
Trials in humans have also shown us that alcohol consumption, in moderation, of course, may help stabilize blood sugar. They are making it easier to manage weight.
The one fact that remains steadfast in weight loss is that “everything in moderation” is critical.
So, a glass of red wine will provide you with the much-needed antioxidants, but you need more to help your weight loss journey.
What Is Low-Calorie Wine?
Low-calorie wine, those words sound so good to hear, but could this be true?
Most of the calories found in the wine come from the alcohol content. The other contributors are sugar and carbohydrates.
When considering weight loss goals, the red one is much better than sparkling wine. Moderate alcohol consumption is not hampering your weight loss, said a health expert.
Wine manufacturers realized that they could include a whole different target market – the health-conscious and calorie counters among us.
A new range of low-calorie wines is now available for those who would still like to indulge without the accompanying guilt trip.
Harvard Health Publishing publishes a research page that mentions a glass of wine for women and two glasses for a healthy man in a safe.
Low-calorie white wines are likely to have a lower alcohol content than red wine. This makes it a low-calorie alcoholic drink compared to other kinds of wines. Dry sparkling white wines are also a great option if you are looking to lose weight.
Here’s a list of some of the best wines for weight loss to help give you an idea to make those choices easier:
- Riesling (White) A white riesling is usually a good choice for weight watchers as every five ounces contains about 120 calories and about five carbs.
- Pinot Grigio (White)
- Chardonnay (White)
- Pinot Noir (Red)
- Merlot (Red)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Red)
Does Red Wine to Lose Belly Fat Work?
There’s much debate around this topic. As we know, wine contains calories, and overconsumption could be more problematic than beneficial. But, over the years, information gathered suggests a link between stubborn belly fat and red wine. So, what is this link?
According to a study, chemicals in the grapes slow down the growth of existing fat cells. They also slow down the formation of new fat cells.
This, in turn, helps boost the fatty acid metabolism in the liver cells. Enhancing the burning of fat in the liver helps in weight management, especially among overweight people.
Due to the plant-derived chemical known as resveratrol in red wine, it is known that red wine has the following benefits to offer:
- Reducing the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood.
- Lowering your risk of blood clotting and inflammation, which consequently reduces risks of heart disease
- Burning belly fat and decreasing inflammation tends to be associated with obesity.
The last benefit mentioned sounds precisely what wine lovers want to hear. Take caution to how much is consumed though, because this lies in the fine balance of things as to whether you gain or lose weight.
How to Enjoy Red Wine While Losing Weight
- Stick to one serving – A serving of wine is defined as 5 ounces (150 mL) (15).
- Track your calorie intake – If you can include a serving of wine in your day and maintain a calorie deficit, then you ought to be able to continue losing weight.
- Avoid dessert wines – Dessert wines are sweeter and more likely to contain more sugar and calories per serving so this may hinder your progress in losing weight.
Best Wine for Weight Loss
The best wine for weight loss would be the healthiest and the one that gives you the most health benefits. With these glasses of wine, you will maintain your weight loss goals.
This includes Pinot Noir (red wine), rated as the healthiest wine because of the high levels of resveratrol. It is made of grapes with thin skin, has low sugar, fewer calories, and low alcohol content. Sagrantino, made in Italy, contains the highest concentration of antioxidants and is packed with tannins.
Ultimately, the best weight-loss wine is dry wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot, or a dry sparkling white wine. Sweet wines have significantly higher calorie and carb counts, which can leave you struggling to achieve your health goals, so best to avoid those.
Red Red Wine…Stay Close to Me
What wonderful news! You can sip away at a glass of red Pinot Noir, relax, and lose weight. All things can be enjoyed and beneficial to the body in moderation, so stick to the drinking limits.
But more than aiding in your weight loss journey, consuming low-calorie wines has also been found to be a help in the following categories :
- Drinking red wine supports the longevity of life.
- Drinking wine helps keep our hearts healthy.
- The nutrients in wine can prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Drinking wine can keep depression at bay.
- Drinking wine can give you healthier skin.
- Drinking wine can help prevent obesity.
With so many benefits, you can keep on sipping with a guilt-free conscience. Cheers!
Reinette Robbertze is a highly qualified professional in the health and nutrition industry, having completed both Journalism and Nutrition diplomas. With a remarkable portfolio of health blogs and magazine articles to her name, Reinette’s writing is fueled by her genuine passion for healthy living. Drawing on her academic background, Reinette delivers authentic and insightful information to her readers. Her engaging writing style, blended with personal anecdotes, creates an immersive experience that keeps readers engaged and informed. Keep following her work for the latest updates and informative articles on health and nutrition.
