Does Drinking Wine Make You Fat or Is It Actually Healthy?

The Benefits of White and Red Wine

Drinking beer and spirits is linked to higher levels of visceral fat, the harmful fat associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, drinking red wine is associated with lower visceral fat levels. These findings stem from a recent study published by my colleagues and me in the journal Obesity Science & Practice.

While white wine consumption did not affect visceral fat, our research indicates that moderate white wine consumption may offer unique health advantages for older adults, specifically in promoting higher bone mineral density. We observed this link among older adults who consumed white wine in our study, unlike with beer or red wine.

Our study analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank, assessing 1,869 adults aged 40 to 79 regarding demographics, alcohol, diet, and lifestyle. We used Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry to measure body composition, height, and weight to investigate the relationships between different alcoholic drinks and body composition.

Why This Matters

Aging is frequently accompanied by an increase in problematic fat and a decrease in bone mineral density, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S. are classified as overweight or obese, contributing to healthcare costs exceeding 260.6 billion dollars annually.

Given these trends, it is crucial for researchers to explore factors contributing to weight gain to develop effective strategies. Conflicting messages about the risks and benefits of alcohol abound, and our research aims to shed light on these complexities.

What is Still Unknown

Numerous biological and environmental factors contribute to overweight and obesity, and alcohol consumption may be one of them. However, some previous studies have not found clear connections between weight gain and alcohol consumption. Discrepancies in the literature might arise from treating alcohol as a single entity without examining the effects of beer, cider, red wine, and spirits separately.

While some studies demonstrate that beer contributes to a higher waist-to-hip ratio, others conclude that moderate beer consumption does not lead to significant weight gain. Thus, we aim to further explore the unique risks and benefits associated with each type of alcohol and how diet, including alcohol consumption, impacts brain health in older adults.

We look forward to the results.

(Source: The Conversation, April 2022)