The health benefits of the occasional glass of red wine have been long suggested, reported and researched, but white wine drinkers have been missing out on any positive health effects from their favourite tipple.

Not anymore according to a new study from the US – white wine can be equally as healthy for the heart as red. In moderation of course.

Researchers at the Cardiovascular Research Centre in Connecticut looked at the cardioprotective constituents of both red and white wine and compared their abilities to protect the cardiovascular function of the heart.

Red grape varietals have been thought to provide benefit due to the presence of ‘resveratol’ in the skin. Resveratol is a polyphenol that is believed to protect against heart disease and cancer. Red wine production process the skin whereas white wine only processes the pulp of the grape.

Tests involving chemicals found in both red and white wine were seen to reduce heart attacks by protecting heart cells and the flesh of the grape was equally as important in doing that job as the skin.

Dr. Dipak Das, a molecular biologist involved in the study says the results suggest white wine can provide protection to the heart similar to red wine if it is rich in tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol chemicals.

The research appears in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

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