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Wine for weight loss: is it possible?
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A study by Harvard scientists, which lasted more than ten years, revealed a close relationship between the absence of excess weight and wine consumption.
American scientists have delighted many with an interesting discovery: periodic consumption of red wine in small quantities at night helps prevent the development of obesity. This conclusion was made based on the results of two independent experiments.
The first experiment lasted for about 13 years, during which specialists assessed the parameters, lifestyle and health of twenty thousand women. The emphasis was on the following issues: the presence or absence of excess weight, alcohol consumption and the level of physical activity. The result of the experiment was as follows: women who had normal weight indicators and drank a moderate amount of red wine in the evenings, and subsequently maintained their normal weight. Which cannot be said about those who refused to drink alcohol at all.
The second experiment was conducted by scientists on female rodents. A group of animals were regularly offered to eat one of the main components of red wine – resveratrol. The rodents that ate this substance did not gain excess weight, or even lost it.
Resveratrol is a natural type of phenolic compounds. Its main action is antioxidant, that is, it protects cells and organs from external damaging factors. This substance, in addition to red wine, can be found in the skin of dark grapes, some nuts and cocoa beans. After a person drinks a little red wine, resveratrol activates the production of "brown" lipocytes in the body. Their difference from ordinary lipocytes is that "brown" cells promote active burning of the fat layer and, as a result, maintaining slimness.
Scientists had previously conducted a study of the properties of resveratrol. They discovered that this substance has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, protective properties that improve the functioning of the heart and nerve fibers.
Of course, you can't take the results of this scientific discovery literally. Firstly, not all and not any alcoholic drinks promote weight loss. Secondly, you should drink wine in moderation, but not abuse it. And thirdly, the type of nutrition a person receives is also important: after all, an excess of sweets and fatty foods, regular overeating and lack of physical activity will inevitably lead to excess weight, even despite the occasional consumption of a small amount of healthy red wine.
Therefore, everything must be approached in a balanced and thoughtful manner, observing moderation and maintaining common sense. It is better to drink wine in quantities of no more than one glass, in the afternoon. At the same time, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the drink, giving preference to well-known brands of dry or semi-dry wines, since not all wines are equally useful.