How Much Wine Is Healthy?
When it comes to alcohol, monitoring the amount you consume is the most important thing you can do for your health. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women should try to consume no more than one glass of wine per day. “There are ‘better for you’ wines out there, but it’s smart to keep some basics in mind,” explains Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen. “The actual serving size for a glass of wine is 5 ounces (at 12% alcohol-by-volume, or ABV). So even if you’re drinking the driest red out there, the booze is going to add up, even if the sugar isn’t.” So if you’re hoping to make smarter decisions surrounding your alcohol consumption, kudos! Thankfully, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go cold turkey. “Not all wines are created equal and will vary in terms of calories, sugar, and alcohol content,” explains Mia Syn, MS, RDN.
The Healthiest Wine Options
Remember, not all wine is created equal. Here, Largeman-Roth and Syn weigh in on the best and worst options in the wine aisle. According to Syn, if you’re also looking to curtail the amount of calories you’re consuming from wine, then dry sparkling and white wines are a good bet. “I recommend brut Champagne, cava, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc. These have lower sugar content, which contributes to their lower calorie count,” she says. Wines higher in residual sugar include moscato and port, she adds.
