Differences and Similarities between Red and White Wine

Red wine is one of the most sought-after alcoholic drinks in China, mainly due to its color. In ancient Chinese culture, red stands for good luck that can drive misfortune away, and bring happiness. Hence, consumption of red wine in China has increased significantly in the recent years.

Although alcohol has always received bad press, this is not the case with wine. Red and white wines have been two of the most enjoyable alcoholic drinks in various parts of the world. The basic difference between these popular beverages is that red wine is made from dark-colored grapes, while white wine is produced from green or yellow-green grapes.

Moreover, in white wine only the juice is fermented , whereas in red wine the juice along with the grapes is fermented. The pieces of grapes are separated from the liquid, after the wine gets fermented.

As far as the similarity is concerned, both red and white wine are acidic, contain tannins, glycerin, and alcohol at different concentrations. Also, the amount of carbohydrates (4 g per serving of 5 oz.) present in either wine is the same.

Carotenoids

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)
Moderate consumption of red wine is good for eyesight as it contains lutein and zeaxanthin, the carotenoids that protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration. A glass of red wine contains as much as 7 mcg of carotenoids.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)
Lutein and zeaxanthin are not present in white wine; hence drinking this beverage is unlikely to make any significant impact on eye health.

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

Antioxidants in red wine increase good cholesterol. Resveratrol present in red wine helps reduce bad cholesterol and may promote heart health. Flavonoids such as catechins, quercetin, and anthocyanins are also found to be substantially high in red wine. They have antioxidant effects.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

The antioxidant potential of white wine is less as compared to red wine. In making white wine, the grape juice stays in contact with grape skins for less time, thus leading to less flavonoid concentrations.

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

A glass of red wine (5 oz.) contains a slightly higher concentration of magnesium, around 17.6 mg.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

A glass of white wine (5 oz.) provides 14.7 mg magnesium.

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

Drinking 5 oz. of red wine provides 34 mg phosphorus.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

Drinking 5 ounces of white wine provides 26 mg phosphorus.

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

Red wine is a low-sugar alcoholic beverage with a glass having only 0.9 mg sugar. Most of the sugar present in red grapes gets converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide during fermentation; hence a very small amount of sugar is left in red wine.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

Compared to red wine, sugar content in white wine is high with a glass containing 1.4 mg sugar.

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

When it comes to potassium content, white wine is second to red wine. Drinking a glass of red wine provides 187 mg potassium, which is 5% of the daily recommended intake.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

White wine has a lower potassium content with a glass containing around 104 mg potassium, which is 3% of the daily recommended intake.

Red Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

For increasing intake of iron, red wine is a better choice. 5 ounces of red wine contain as many as 0.7 mg of iron, which is 4% of the daily value.

White Wine (1 glass = 5 ounces)

If you are drinking 5 ounces of white wine, you are getting around 0.4 mg iron.

Red wine is an excellent source of antioxidants, particularly resveratrol. Test tube and animal studies have shown that resveratrol is beneficial to the heart, as it keeps oxidation of bad cholesterol at bay. Oxidized LDL can make the arteries inflamed, which can elevate the chances of developing heart attack or stroke.

In short, drinking red wine daily may prevent atherosclerosis, in turn promoting heart health.

A few studies on humans have shown that daily intake of red wine may reduce prostate cancer risk by 50%. Researchers believe that this may be due to high levels of resveratrol, that is thought to inhibit cancer growth.

The health benefits of red wine have garnered a lot of attention. Surprisingly though, they are backed by very few clinical trials. Most of the results have been derived from animal or test tube studies. Hence, there is a possibility that human studies may show contradictory results.

If taking red wine is beneficial for the heart, drinking white wine may help improve the functioning of lungs. Although wine is good for the lungs, studies show that white wine is better at increasing lung function.

White wine is highly acidic, so drinking it regularly can be detrimental to your dental health. The acidity levels in white wine can damage the tooth enamel. The enamel tends to lose its minerals from frequent exposure to foods high in acid content.

With red wine having more antioxidants than white wine, enjoying a glass of red wine is better that consuming white wine.

On the whole, wine is good for health but red wine is healthier, provided you drink responsibly. Reaping its benefits does not mean chugging gallons of red wine in a short duration. Just a few ounces of wine every day can have a positive impact on your health.