Wine-Drinking Women May Gain Less Weight

(CBS)  New research suggests women who drink a moderate amount of alcohol on a regular basis, particularly when red wine is the drink of choice, are less likely to experience long-term weight gain than non-drinkers.

The study, conducted by researchers at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, surveyed almost 20,000 women and asked them about their drinking habits over the course of 13 years. The alcohol-free women gained the most weight.

The research, published Monday in the American Medical Association's Special Section: Dr. Jennifer AshtonExperts, however, are quick to remind women that the study does not change documented evidence on the affects of heavy drinking: Consuming more than one or two units of alcohol per day is associated with weight gain.The study, says CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, "potentially has some real impact" due to the large number of women involved, the long span over which they were followed, and the reputation of Brigham and Women's Hospital.The women all gained weight, Ashton noted, but the women "who consumed alcohol on a light or moderate basis gained the least, and the women who consumed wine over other forms, like beer and spirits, also gained the least." And men gained more than women.Why might that have been? "The theory is not definitely known," Ashton told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez, "but one of the ideas is that women tend to substitute alcohol for other potentially high-carbohydrate foods, whereas when men consume alcohol, they're adding those calories on top of what they're normally eating. Also, women tend to metabolize alcohol differently. There are a lot of theories, but no firm evidence yet."The study's authors say the reason alcohol may not be as much of a fat-maker as previously thought may come down to how the human body processes it. It's believed the liver may process alcohol into heat, rather than fat, as it does most other substances.Ashton stressed that four ounces a day of wine -- the equivalent of one alcoholic beverage -- is considered moderate intake. For men, she said, moderate or light alcoholic intake is one to two drinks a day.Catherine Collins, a spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, told The Telegraph wine should not be viewed as a dieting tool.

"If these women have a healthy diet and lifestyle and are having one or two units of alcohol a night, then that has fewer calories than someone who instead has a chocolate bar to unwind," Collins told the newspaper. "It's a question of 'What's your poison?" '

"What this survey shows," Collins added, "is that moderation is key to a healthy lifestyle. People who drink wine may be more likely to snack on sugary and more (calorie-laden) treats."

Ashton pointed out that, "High alcohol consumption has been linked to different types of cancer, liver problems, brain problems, it can weaken the heart muscle. The American Heart Association is very clear: If you don't drink now, don't start for these proposed benefits but if do you, maybe wine is the way to go."

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[tsigili]

Considering the amount of calories in wine, I seriously question that suggestion.

However, a glass of red wine a day, is good for less active older people, men and women alike, to keep their arteries flowing well.

Some moderate exercise is still also recommended of course.

[IndiasWorstTechSupport]

Study Suggests Moderate Alcohol Consumption Better for Body Weight than None at All

...that's something a drug dealer would tell an addict if they were selling drugs.

[erasmus111]

It's a bunch of bullcrap. A friend of mine, and my ex-sister-in-law both drink wine and they have packed on the weight!

[erasmus111]

by incog-nito March 8, 2010 9:17 PM EST
Well, two people do not constitute a big enough sample population to either confirm or refute this study.

The studies are all crap anyways. Two months from now they will be saying the exact opposite.

[Robin081564]

I don't doubt that with women there is a general correlation between wine drinking and remaining relatively thin. But, I doubt that this is a cause and effect. Trumpeting this study as proof that wine drinking keeps your from gaining weight is about like performing a study that proves that the chirping of birds causes the sun to rise each morning.

[AtLasOn1Kl733]

Tune in for next week... wine drinking women suffers memory loss but still less weight gained.

[Zann-Zel]

So lets just all stay buzzed and we'll look better - heck if we stay buzzed the guys might look better too! ; )

[formrusmcsgt]

Wine-Drinking Women May Gain Less Weight
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The same could probably be said about those who don't wolf down 5,000 calories a day....

[Dgunner]

patureized wines do not have any advantages of health. Only true fermented and aged wines naturally coursed through the fermentation process and time and more time are the wines of any value to your health. Once again the american sheep are supposed to believe the media and or the people who pay them to justify wasting tax payers money to study some bulls---t project or justify money obtained through the decietfulness of thier congress persons and the lobbyist they conive with. Don't believe this crap . read a real book by a real winemaker . Not a dr. who probably was hired to stamp thier name on a wasted time project.

[formrusmcsgt]

Anything would be a help when half the women's clothes sold are size 24....