We all know that when you drink too much alcohol, the negative effects can be numerous. But you might also have seen positive reports in the news, lauding the health effects of wine (particularly red wine). What’s the real truth about wine? And how does the occasional glass of wine fit into your overall medical weight loss plan?

Yes, numerous correlational studies have uncoverd a link between moderate consumption of red wine and reduced risk of heart disease, some forms of cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. But it’s important to note that correlation does not equal causation. We don’t know for sure whether red wine actually lowers the incidence of those diseases, or if people who tend to drink red wine also tend to practice positive health behaviors that lower their disease risk.

For example, many people who drink red wine also eat the Mediterranean diet, which is already known to address risks of certain diseases. So does drinking red wine actually lower risk, or is the lowered risk simply a coincidence within the population of red wine drinkers?

Some studies do show that resveratrol, an antioxidant in red wine, can carry numerous health benefits. So if you’re going to have an alcoholic beverage, red wine makes a preferable choice.

On the other hand, it’s important to remember that wine (and all alcoholic beverages) does contain calories. And for those of you following a medical weight loss plan, those calories can undermine your goals if you aren’t careful. Yes, you can have a glass of red wine if you factor the calories into your overall eating plan, but with a low-calorie diet that can present a challenge.

And another challenge of drinking wine: Don’t get a little tipsy and make the decision to snack outside of your eating plan! You might be surprised at how many calories you can put away when your inhibitions are impaired.

For more information on how to fit that glass of wine into your eating plan, give us a call. We can help you evaluate the number of calories you should be eating on a medical weight loss plan, pack your meals full of vital nutrients, and sometimes have a few calories left over to enjoy a glass of wine. But the main thing you can do to prevent all of the chronic diseases named above is to stick with your health goals.