By Ian Love

Sometime ago, magazines and some other publications tried to display the fact, that most wine lovers in the world have started to think, that it’s necessary they begin a crash diet, in order to reduce their weight. Well, wine contains calories and carbohydrates that may not suit many. It’s necessary to have a check on excessive wine intake. Okay, total abstinence may not be necessary, but yes, you need to have a moderation and this is your key. The good news may be that wine contains fat and zero cholesterol. However, in no way does that mean that you can drink much, as this may start showing results on your waistline.

According to a nutritional data from US department of agriculture, it’s shocking to know that a 5-ounce glass of dry red or white table wine (that’s considered to be the standard serving) carries around 125 calories. If you wish to compare a full 12-ounce can of coca cola, then it has 140 calories; also a 12-ounce bottle of beer contains 150 calories; and an 8-ounce glass of whole milk contains 160 calories.

In fact, the perfect calorie content may vary in wines, as it has both sugar content and alcohol that makes it taste sweet. Also, the correct calorie content of wines differs with its alcohol and sugar content. Hence, sweet wines pack more effect, than most dry table wines. If the taste of port or any other rich and fortified dessert wine may take your fancy, then it’s necessary that one be warned that a serving of 5-ounce can go as high as 225 calories or even more in the same caloric territory as a 2-inch wedge of cheesecake.

Okay, we just had a glimpse on the calories, after the intake of wine. So, what about carbohydrates? Many nutritionists may not think a lot about low-carbohydrate diets. However, in case you’re following one of these faddish plans, then you may find it difficult to fit in much wine. The amounts may differ, but a 5-ounce serving of dry white table wine can consist of 1.25 grams of carbohydrates, whereas a glass of red can go up to 2.5 grams and sweet wines may have considerably more.

What do scientists have to say

Some scientists say that all carbohydrates may not consist of the same amount of calories per gram. You must have heard about cellulose that’s a carbohydrate compound and has zero available calories, as the human body is incompetent to metabolize it. Take the case of Ethanol (beverage alcohol). It’s not a carbohydrate and belongs to a different class of chemical compounds known as aliphatic alcohols. Ethanol is mainly metabolized to produce energy. However, the yield is less per gram, as compared with sugar. Nevertheless, it’s an important contribution to the whole caloric value of a glass of wine.

In a nutshell, in case you’re worried about the carbohydrates factor, then be warned that the alcohol in wine can act much like a carbohydrate, even if it doesn’t show up completely in the numbers. The best thing a physician or dietician, who specializes in weight loss may tell you to cut back on the liquor level.

For many people around the world, wine may be included in their moderate lifestyle that may consist of sensible exercise and appetite. You need to cut back on too many sweet drinks and fatty snacks, so that you may have some room in your diet regimen for a little glass of wine. What you need to remember is that too much intake of wine may affect your body and also lead to excessive weight gain. Hence, timely check is essential. It’s advised that you take the advice and help of physician in this matter.

Ian Love is the owner of Online Wine Store, West Valley Wine which specializes in Australian Red Wine.

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