Having a glass of white wine is not only refreshing and relaxing, but there are also a number of ways in which this popular beverage may boost your overall health.
What is White Wine?
White wine is the broad category of alcoholic beverages made from ‘white’ grapes that take a green or yellow color on ripening. It also refers to wine made from red grapes when the skin’s pigment has been removed, preventing it from staining the juice of the grapes.
White wines are often used as an apéritif before a meal. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Types of White Wine
The most well-known types of wine are: [1]
- Chardonnay: citrusy and buttery
- Sauvignon Blanc: grassy and bright
- Moscato: sweet and fruity
- Pinot Grigio: crisp and aromatic
- Gewürztraminer: floral and fruity
- Riesling: fruity and acidic
- Viognier: rich and tropical
Most white wines should be enjoyed within a few years of their bottling date. Once a bottle has been opened, it will last 1-3 days before losing key flavor components. Within a week or so, it will begin to spoil.
| Serving Size : | |
|---|---|
| Nutrient | Value |
| Water [g] | 86.86 |
| Energy | 82 |
| Energy [kJ] | 342 |
| Protein [g] | 0.07 |
| Ash [g] | 0.2 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference [g] | 2.6 |
| Sugars, total including NLEA [g] | 0.96 |
| Calcium, Ca [mg] | 9 |
| Iron, Fe [mg] | 0.27 |
| Magnesium, Mg [mg] | 10 |
| Phosphorus, P [mg] | 18 |
| Potassium, K [mg] | 71 |
| Sodium, Na [mg] | 5 |
| Zinc, Zn [mg] | 0.12 |
| Copper, Cu [mg] | 0 |
| Manganese, Mn [mg] | 0.12 |
| Selenium, Se [µg] | 0.1 |
| Fluoride, F [µg] | 202 |
| Thiamin [mg] | 0.01 |
| Riboflavin [mg] | 0.02 |
| Niacin [mg] | 0.11 |
| Pantothenic acid [mg] | 0.05 |
| Vitamin B-6 [mg] | 0.05 |
| Folate, total [µg] | 1 |
| Folate, food [µg] | 1 |
| Folate, DFE [µg] | 1 |
| Choline, total [mg] | 4.3 |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) [µg] | 0.4 |
| Alcohol, ethyl [g] | 10.3 |
| Sources include : USDA [2] | |
Nutrition Facts & Alcohol Content
A standard serving size of white wine is 5 ounces. A serving of this wine may contain more sugars than red wine. It contributes around 120 calories and less than 4 grams of carbohydrates to your daily diet. If you are watching your calorie and alcohol intake, keep in mind that the average pour is about 6 ounces or more. [3] [4]
White wine contains a good number of flavonoids and plant-derived antioxidants. The many different varieties of this wine can range from 5.5%- 15% ABV, although most common table wines fall between 11%-14%.
White Wine Benefits
Recent research shows that, much like red wine, white wine may have potential health benefits that include the following:
- May lower risk of coronary heart disease [5]
- May prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol [6]
- May reduce the formation of blood clots
- Helps relax
When choosing a variety to have with dinner, consider this: these pale wines significantly reduce your chance of getting a hangover because it has far fewer headache-causing substances, unlike certain types of red wine. [7]
White Wine Side Effects
Drinking a small amount of alcohol before bed may help you fall asleep, but be careful, as excessive consumption can interrupt the natural REM cycle and wake you up later than normal in the morning.
Too much of anything, especially alcohol, is not good for health. Exceeding the recommended one to two drinks per day may result in weight gain, liver disease, or alcoholism. Moderation is always key, and alcohol should not be relied on as a daily remedy for any conditions, physical or psychological. [8]
