Does wine have vitamin C? This is a question that many people ask because grapes are a great source of vitamin C.
It makes sense that wine would also be a source of vitamin C, but is that true?
In this blog post, we will discuss does wine has vitamin C or not, plus we’ll also talk about the health benefits of wine and how to get the most out of it!
Does Wine Have Vitamin C?
Wine grapes do have vitamin C, but once the must is fermented into wine the vitamin C is gone.
There may be a negligible amount of vitamin C left, but not enough to call it a health drink or “source” of vitamin C.
Read our related article on the Benefits of Drinking Organic Wine. We explore the benefits of organic viticulture and the health benefits of drinking organic wine!
How Does Winemaking Affect Vitamin C Levels?
Wine is a complex liquid that goes through many steps in its production.
The earliest stages of wine production involve crushing the grapes and fermenting the juice, with yeast combined with sugar to create alcohol.
While the grapes do contain vitamin C, not enough of it makes it through the intense fermentation process to call wine a good source of vitamin C.
After fermentation, winemakers may opt to add extra nutrients and flavors through temperature control or the addition of additives.
While there may be a winemaker who uses an additive that increases the content of vitamin C, there still wouldn’t be enough to make it a reason to drink wine.
However, wine is a good source of polyphenols and antioxidants.
Wine grapes and unfermented grape juice are also sources of these healthy vitamins, and the health benefits make it through to the wine.
What Are Wine Polyphenols and Why Are They Good?
Wine is often touted for its health benefits, and many of these benefits are due to the presence of polyphenols.
Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant that can help to protect cells from damage. They are found in a variety of foods, including wines.
Some research has shown that polyphenols may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
They may also help to lower cholesterol levels and improve blood sugar control.
Additionally, polyphenols may help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
While more research is needed to confirm these potential health benefits, it is clear that polyphenols are good for health.
Therefore, enjoying a glass of wine may be more than just a pleasurable experience; it may also be good for your health.
Read our related article, What Are Tannins in Red Wine? for a closer look into polyphenols!
How Do I Store Wine To Preserve Health Benefits?
A wine that is exposed to too much light or heat will quickly degrade, losing both its flavor and its health benefits.
To preserve the quality of the wine, it is important to store it in a cool, dark place.
An ideal location would be in a wine rack in a wine cellar or a dark cupboard.
If you do not have access to such a location, you can simply wrap the bottle in a dark towel or cloth.
By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that your wine retains its high levels of Vitamin C and continues to provide health benefits for many years to come.
Overall, wine is a delicious beverage with many valuable nutritional benefits that can be enjoyed safely as long as it is stored correctly.
Read More: Benefits of Drinking Wine Before Sleeping. There are some science-backed benefits of drinking wine before bed, but how much should you drink? And what are the downsides? Learn more!
Final Thoughts
Having one glass of red wine a day is a healthy habit for most individuals, but not because wine contains vitamin C.
Polyphenols are the star of the show when it comes to the health benefits of wine.