Friday 16 March 2012

Most Popular Wines: The Calories and Benefits

By David Rubens


You're having an evening meal with friends and trying to choose the best glass of vino for your health and your waistline. You're in luck! The most popular wines have similar and easy to recall calorie counts. They also provide surprising health benefits that will make you feel better in regards to the calories in wine overall, enjoyed in moderate amounts.

White Wines - Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio - every one of these popular white wines are around 120 calories per 5 oz. glass. White Zinfandel has about 7-10 fewer calories per serving. Health benefits with moderate amounts of white wine include better breathing and lower risk of cancer. If you have respiratory challenges, like asthma, you're better off drinking white than red.

Red Wines - Three popular red wines - Merlot, Shiraz and Pinot Noir -- have less than 120 calories per 5 oz. glass. A typical 5 oz. glass of Cabernet Sauvignon is less than 130 calories. The health benefits of red wine in moderate amounts can be quite desirable and worth the calories. Antioxidant-rich reds can help lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Dessert Wines - Here's where the major wine calories can live, if you're not careful. Drinking a glass of sherry can add 157 calories to your meal and the sweetest dessert wines can be up to 250 calories per glass. Spanish sherries have similar benefits as red wine, with heart-healthy antioxidants.

If those calorie counts seem tremendous, request only half a glass of wine. Have a glass of water handy to quench your thirst, while sipping your wine slower. Keep in mind that overconsumption of wine isn't just harmful to your diet plan; it can also have damaging health effects. Stick to a small glass of wine you like, with a meal that includes lighter foods like salads and steamed vegetables. You more than double the health rewards of your wine whenever you pair it with healthy eating and gratitude.




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