Fact or fiction: is wine healthier than beer?
After work, heading to the park for a beer, having something to eat with a glass of wine or enjoying a delicious G&T on the balcony at friends’ place (how to make the perfect gin and tonic)… In summer temperatures, I always enjoy an alcoholic drink just a little more than in the colder months. And increasingly, I order wine instead of beer, because that’s healthier, right?
I was always taught that one glass of wine a day is much better for you than drinking a beer or spirits. The antioxidants in red wine were even supposed to be healthy. But is that actually true, or is it complete nonsense?
Is wine healthier?
Research has shown that a small amount of alcohol reduces the risk of some chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It doesn’t matter what the alcohol is in (although I’d stay away from methylated spirits). In theory, wine and beer are therefore equally ‘healthy’. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol does increase the risk of various types of cancer. Alcohol is never healthy, and white wine is not even better than beer.
Antioxidants and resveratrol
With red wine, things are slightly more complicated; it does indeed contain antioxidants that various researchers consider healthy. This is mainly the substance resveratrol. It helps protect the body against inflammation, viruses and bacteria, and is also thought to slow down the ageing process. Resveratrol is only found in red wine—it comes from the seeds and skin of the grapes. For anyone now planning to start drinking heavily to look younger, red wine also has disadvantages. Because of its high number of calories and amount of sugar, it can make you gain weight; drinking too much alcohol also causes fatty liver disease and disrupts the way vitamins and minerals work in your body.
Resveratrol can also be found in apples, berries and plums—so eating fruit remains the healthiest advice.
Also read:
- With this wine, the hangover doesn’t come later
- The best news of the day: cheese and red wine keep you smart
- Why does red wine make you tired?
Source: Het Voedingscentrum
