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Don’t worry, you can still drink wine while you’re trying to lose weight. In fact, wine may even help you slim down.
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Table of Contents
The Research
Though you may not have thought it, wine may actually be good for weight loss. Studies have found that moderate wine drinkers have lower rates of obesity than those who abstain from alcohol altogether.Of course, there are many other factors that affect obesity rates, but wine seems to be a positive influence.
A study in rats
In early 2020, a study published in the journal Nature found that resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, helped rats lose weight and keep it off.
The study was conducted over the course of 12 weeks. One group of rats was given a regular diet, while the other group was given a high-fat diet supplemented with resveratrol.
At the end of the 12 weeks, the rats who had been given resveratrol were found to have lost weight, while the rats who had not been given resveratrol were heavier. The rats who took resveratrol also had lower levels of inflammation and fat in their blood.
This study is interesting because it suggests that wine may help with weight loss, but it is important to remember that this research was conducted in rats and not humans. More research is needed to determine if wine can help people lose weight.
A study in humans
Though many studies have been done on the potential health benefits of consuming wine, relatively few have been done on humans. In one such study, which was published in the journal Obesity in 2015, a group of obese adults were given either red wine or white wine to drink with their meals for a period of 12 weeks. The participants were not told which type of wine they were drinking, and they were instructed to drink in moderation (defined as two 5-ounce glasses per day for women and three 5-ounce glasses for men).
At the end of the study period, those who had drunk red wine had lost more weight and body fat than those who had drunk white wine. They also had lower levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and higher levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. However, it’s important to note that the study was relatively small and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
The Results
We all know that wine has many benefits. But what about weight loss? Does wine help with weight loss? We’ve all heard that red wine is good for our heart. But is it true? And what about white wine? Is it just as healthy?
The study in rats
In order to investigate whether wine could help with weight loss, a group of researchers fed rats a high-fat diet for four weeks to make them obese. The rats were then divided into two groups: one was given water and the other was given wine.
After 10 weeks, the rats that had consumed wine had lower levels of belly fat and inflammation, as well as healthier levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, than the rats that just drank water. The wine-drinking rats also had higher levels of a hormone called adiponectin, which is thought to help regulate metabolism.
The study in humans
The study in humans was even more encouraging. In it, Dr. Davy and her colleagues recruited 124 men and women who were trying to lose weight. Over a period of 12 weeks, half of the participants were given two daily servings of Merlot or Cabernet while the other half received a daily dose of white Zinfandel—all part of a calorie-restricted diet.
At the end of the study, both groups had lost about the same amount of weight—an average of 4.5 pounds each. But when the researchers looked at body fat, they found that the wine drinkers had lost mostly fat while the non-wine drinkers had lost mostly muscle. In other words, wine may help you lose weight, but it’s the healthy kind of weight loss.
The Conclusion
After exploring all the pros and cons, we can conclude that wine may have some weight loss benefits. However, these benefits are likely due to the antioxidants and other healthy compounds in wine, not the alcohol itself. If you’re looking to lose weight, you’re better off focusing on other lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. Cheers!
What the research says
It’s time to debunk the myth that wine is somehow “healthier” than other alcoholic drinks. While it’s true that wine has some health benefits, it also has just as many calories and sugar as any other type of alcohol. So if you’re trying to lose weight, you’re better off sticking to liquor or beer.
What this means for you
The interesting thing about wine is that it doesn’t seem to matter what type you drink, red or white, you still get the same weight loss benefits. This may be due to the fact that all types of wine contain resveratrol, a compound that has been linked to weight loss. So, if you’re looking to shed a few pounds, sipping on some wine may be just what you need. Just remember to drink in moderation and always pair it with a healthy meal.
