WINE AND CALORIES: MYTHS AND TRUTHS

This year, the feasts were plentiful and gathered close enough... Yes, we know it too, there was no time to take a break, but from now on, shouldn’t we start making wiser choices? We’re talking about the calories and the cuts we need to make! No one mentioned dieting... We’re simply referring to the one month remaining until Easter, just so we can enjoy whatever we want without any guilt!

The news is optimistic. Wine is one of the alcoholic drinks with the fewest calories!

The secret is to know how many calories are in a given amount of wine and, like with everything, to consume it in moderation.

Now, let’s delve into what exactly contributes to the calorie content in wine.

• First and foremost, alcohol content is an important factor. While carbohydrates have about four calories per gram, alcohol translates to about seven calories per gram, making it significantly richer in calories. Because of this, wines with a high alcohol content tend to be higher in calories.

• The second important factor is sugar. In dry wines, the residual sugars are those that remain in the wine after fermentation is complete. In sweet wines, sugars are added after fermentation is completed, or it is stopped by the addition of alcohol, leaving some sugar unfermented. In wines from dried grapes or botrytized wines, the concentrated sugars from the grapes are much higher, resulting in significant amounts of residual sugar in the wine after fermentation (even 450 gr/ltr in Azsu Ezsencia). Therefore, it’s easy to understand that sweet wines have a higher sugar content and consequently more calories than dry wines. Within dry wines, there are relatively minor variations in calorie content depending on the residual sugars they contain. These can range from 1 to 10 grams per litter.

Wines with the fewest calories

Typically, a 150 ml glass of wine may contain 100 – 300 calories, depending on the type, variety, origin, and style.
In general, sparkling dry wines have the fewest calories since they tend to have the lowest sugar levels and relatively low alcohol (12% on average). Next are white dry still wines, which tend to have relatively low alcohol levels and residual sugars. Then come rosé wines, while red wines tend to have more calories.
Sweet wines, especially fortified ones, are treated separately since the increased sugar (and alcohol in the case of fortified wines) generally places them among the highest in calorie content.
However, it may sound paradoxical, but sometimes certain sweet wines actually have fewer calories than dry wines with high alcohol content.

Below are some indicative values for the calories contained in 150 ml (a typical serving) of wine, depending on the type or variety:

Indicative calories in a glass of red wine (150 ml)

Indicative calories in a glass of white wine (150 ml)

Indicative calories in sparkling wines (120 ml)

Looking at the statistics above, it’s evident that wine, if you choose to include it in your “diet,” can be a fun part of it without being an issue! Of course, moderation is crucial. Beer, with its higher carbohydrate content, generally contains significantly more calories than wine. Distillates, on the other hand, have a higher alcohol content and, consequently, more calories.

Some Secrets

1."Earn" the calories from the wine you’ll drink

This simple method involves incorporating walking into your daily routine. Specifically, take a short walk early in the afternoon. This can boost your metabolism and reduce your appetite, allowing you to enjoy your wine without feeling guilty. Additionally, this approach offers numerous benefits for your body, which we’ll explore further.

2.Don’t drink before meals

The general rule is that consuming alcohol half an hour before a meal stimulates your appetite and leads to increased food intake. Therefore, it’s better to enjoy your wine during your meal as a complement rather than before it. By eating and drinking slowly, savouring each sip and bite, you’ll experience a greater sense of fullness and satisfaction from your meal, potentially resulting in reduced calorie consumption.

3.Why choose red dry wine?

The primary reason is the presence of antioxidants, particularly resveratrol. These antioxidants play a vital role in combating oxidative stress, contributing to both internal and external youthfulness. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties, which are crucial in preventing various diseases. In addition to resveratrol and antioxidants found in red wine, recent studies from Oregon State University have revealed the presence of a chemical substance called ellagic acid. This compound appears to have the potential to prevent the formation of new fat cells. The findings suggest that consuming red wine may aid in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders, such as liver cirrhosis.

4.A glass of wine can help regulate insulin levels

It may sound unbelievable, but research reveals that your evening glass of wine can actually prevent diabetes. So, why does this happen? Ethanol, or alcohol in alcoholic beverages, enhances our body’s response to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. Consequently, it reduces cravings for sweets or pasta that we sometimes experience. A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that consuming one to two alcoholic drinks daily can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes by 36%. Moreover, studies have shown that a glass of red wine can effectively regulate blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, it’s crucial to remember that we’re referring to a single glass of wine, not every night!

5.Red wine also contributes to improved endothelial function

The combination of alcohol and the polyphenols found in red wine has been observed to maintain the smooth functioning of the endothelium. Endothelial cells are essential for the proper functioning of capillaries and the transportation of blood to all body tissues. Therefore, the endothelium plays a crucial role in preventing and protecting against various conditions and diseases, such as strokes and myocardial diseases. By maintaining the function of the endothelium, red wine also contributes to the protection against these diseases and conditions

Conclusion: Wine, particularly dry white wine for spring and summer, can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet without significantly increasing the calorie content. However, it’s important to drink in moderation.

Cheers!”

The Botilia team