Drinking wine helps you lose weight: myth or truth?

If you go to Google and look for tips on how to lose weight, it is quite possible that you will find recommendations to avoid consuming any alcoholic beverage, as they are very caloric.

These recommendations are usually accompanied by a caveat: unlike other drinks, wine could be consumed even by people who want to lose a few pounds, because it would help with weight loss.

Red wine is a drink known for its content of flavonoids, which have antioxidant power. These substances are beneficial for our health, as they act by neutralizing free radicals and preventing the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), reducing the risks related to diseases such as atherosclerosis.

But do these benefits also include a helping hand in the weight loss process? The answer depends on the source you are considering.

Glass half full: wine prevents weight gain and helps burn fat

According to a 2009 research carried out at Harvard University, in the USA, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, including wine, could prevent weight gain. In that study, scientists followed nearly 20,000 women for 13 years, looking at their weight and their drinking habits.

The result was that, when compared with participants who never drank, women who reported light to moderate alcohol consumption had a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Among the beverages tested in the research (beer, white wine, red wine and spirits), red wine stood out the most in preventing weight gain.

A second study, conducted at Oregon State University in the US and published in 2014, showed that drinking red wine or juice made from dark-skinned grapes can actually help overweight people burn fat. This effect would happen because of the ellagic acid, present in this type of grape.

According to Dr. Neil Shay, one of the researchers on this study, ellagic acid slowed the growth of existing fat cells and inhibited the formation of new fat cells (when tested in the laboratory). In addition, this substance has been shown to be able to accelerate the metabolism of fatty acids by the liver.

Half empty glass: wine does NOT help you lose weight

So far, the news looks pretty good for wine lovers. However, unfortunately, these results cannot be considered definitive.

The first reason for this is that Dr. Shay, who led the second study, had a caveat about the results. The conclusion of the research was that red wine can help burn fat and speed up fatty acid metabolism, but this does not necessarily translate to weight loss in all situations.

The second reason we can’t celebrate the good news with a toast is that grape components that are beneficial to our health can be lost during the winemaking process.

Thus, the grape skin would have positive effects on our body, but red wine would not necessarily have these same effects – at least not in the same amount as the fruit. in natura.

Can I drink my wine or do I throw it all down the drain?

Alcohol, regardless of the drink, is a source of empty calories, which do not provide any important nutrient for our body. That is, excessive alcohol consumption will lead to weight gain – and a host of other health problems.

Therefore, in order for you to drink your wine without accumulating weight and taking advantage of its antioxidant properties, it is necessary to have a moderate consumption and make some substitutions.

For example, if you make it a point to have a glass of wine daily, it might be a good idea to withhold chocolate mid-afternoon or dessert after lunch. The key, as always, is balance.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.