Which is healthier for you, red or white wines?

The jury is still out on some of the health benefits of moderate wine consumption, but red wine does seem to have a slight edge. It received a lot of attention for its purported benefits in the late 70s, when a book called The French Paradox suggested that red wine helped the French avoid the cholesterol problems that should have gone along with their fat-heavy diet.

Studies since report that an antioxidant called resveratrol is responsible. Resveratrol, like tannins and color, comes from the skins of the grapes; since white wines are pressed before fermentation, they generally have little or no resveratrol (Red wines are macerated with the skins to get the color, tannins, and flavors the skins impart).

However, more recent studies suggest that moderate consumption of any wine, red or white, can contribute to lower incidents of heart disease and several other ailments. Research continues, but for now, let’s be glad we can actually enjoy something that’s also good for us.

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