Whether you prefer a glass of translucent Irsai Olivér or a deep ruby Egri Bikavér is a matter of personal taste. However, when it comes to the question of which is healthier, we probably couldn’t give a quick and straightforward answer. Do you wonder that in the battle of red wine against white wine, which intoxicating nectar would reign supreme? The differences go well beyond the choice of grape varieties of the region from which they come. Read on to find out which wine turns out to be the healthier choice.
Caveat: While wine is delicious, it won’t give you superpowers, nor should it be considered a health drink to sip every day after your gym class.
Nutritional comparison
Both types are more or less similar when it comes to their sugar and carbohydrate content. The main difference between red wine and white wine is related to the color of the grapes. If we break down the chemical profile of wine, we are left, after alcohol and water, only with polyphenols. These micronutrients include tannins, pigments and flavonoids among thousands of other plant compounds.
The flavonoids are responsible for the good-hearted reputation of this divine alcoholic drink.
Bad news for white wine lovers: these beneficial natural substances are mainly found in grapes (also in dark chocolate, berries, red cabbage and onions, but these do not make you funnier or a better dancer) which are dark.
Apart from flavonoids, red wine does only slightly better in its vitamin and mineral content compared to white wine. They contain equal amounts of magnesium and vitamin B6, both valued at 4% of the daily reference intake (RDA). However, red outperforms white in their levels of iron (4% of the RDI vs. 2% for white) and potassium (5% of the RDI in red vs. only 3% in white).
Read more: The best Hungarian wines have been awarded, here are the winners
Advantages of red wine over white wine
Although the health-promoting attributes of wine outweigh all other types of alcoholic beverages, not all wines are created equal. Some types contain a lot more “good stuff”. For example, the antioxidants found in red wine promise more health benefits compared to white wine.
Antioxidants have the power to reduce oxidative stress in the body, which is linked to many modern chronic diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular disorders.
You may have heard of the “French paradox” that has baffled scientists for decades. Taken in all the Camembert and Roquefort the French eat, they somehow seem to be less vulnerable to heart disease than Americans who have less saturated fat in their diets. Experts suspect that this may be because red wine is an obligatory companion to almost all French dishes (you need to wash these juice snails with something). Presumably, the protective effect is the result of the high flavonoid content in red wine. Numerous studies have proven that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 30-40%.
Besides all this, red wine is also known to lower bad cholesterol in your system. To mention something good about white wine as well, people looking to reduce their sugar intake should definitely opt for a light colored glass.
Read more: Hungarian wine from Villány becomes the best in the world
What to look for?
It’s wine time and you can’t wait to treat yourself to a glass (or two) but still want to stay on the healthier side? There are a few telltale characteristic traits you can look for in this case. If you want to lose a few pounds, opt for less sweet dry wines, that is to say, they hide less sugar. You won’t compromise your fitness goals with a few sips of Etyeki Kúria Sauvignon Blanc, Feind Sauvignon Blanc, Cassiopeia Merlot de Villány or Badacsonyi Pinot Gris. It may also be a good idea to opt for low-alcohol wines such as Riesling, Chardonnay and even Sauvignon Blanc.
If you don’t care about calories but want to ripen all the promising health benefits of wine, look for dark red options from famous Hungarian wine regions such as Eger, Villány and Szekszárd.
That said, take our advice with a grain of salt. There are so many wonderfully delicious wines, you shouldn’t limit yourself. Take a wine tour through the Hungarian countryside and explore all the rich and exciting flavors the country has to offer. Treat yourself to a glass of sweet and fruity Tokaji Aszú or a velvety Soproni Kékfrankos with notes of plum and blackcurrant and savor every luscious drop.
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