Health Benefits of Moderately Consuming Low-Sugar Wine

Many wonder about the health effects of wine. "Is drinking red wine good for health?" Research suggests moderate consumption may offer benefits due to antioxidants like resveratrol. Similarly, questions arise about wine's overall impact. "Is wine good for you?" Moderation is crucial, as excessive intake can pose risks. "Is a glass of wine a day good for you?" Some research shows that it is, citing potential heart benefits. Additionally, "Is drinking low sugar wine healthy?" While it may appeal to health-conscious individuals. Lastly, "Are there health benefits from drinking white wine?" You will find answers to all these questions in this blog.

Sugar consumption is an ongoing problem in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association, American adults consume about 17 teaspoons of added sugar every day. That’s 60 pounds a year! Excessive sugar consumption can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, less than 10 percent of calories consumed per day should come from added sugar. To put that in perspective, that’s only about 50 grams if you consume 2,000 calories in a day. I bet if many of you looked in your refrigerator or pantry right now, and checked out the nutrition labels on the packages, you will see quite a few that list ‘added sugars.’ Head to your local grocery store and walk down the aisles looking at all the nutrition labels, and you will be shocked to see the amount of added sugar there is in many popular foods and drinks that are consumed on a regular basis.

Now, it is okay to treat yourself every once in a while! Like we said, when sugar is enjoyed moderately, it’s not going to hurt. But there are many health problems that can arise if someone gives in to their sweet cravings a bit too much. The number one concern is that too much sugar can cause weight gain. This is most likely attributed to the fact that highly processed foods and beverages with added sugars don’t satiate, so you won’t be completely full and will continue to eat more. Too much sugar can also cause acne, depression, decreased energy, tooth decay, gout, fatty liver, and can speed up signs of skin aging.

But you don’t have to give up your favorite things, especially wine, so long as you take the time to do your research and learn what products are best for a low-sugar lifestyle.

How Much Sugar is in Wine?

As we all know, wine is made from grapes — and yes, grapes have sugar. So yes, wine has sugar, but it’s naturally occurring. During the fermentation process, most of that sugar turns into alcohol, and what remains is known as “residual sugar.”

Wine Spectator tells us that a general rule of thumb to follow when determining how much residual sugar is in a wine is to consider how dry or sweet it tastes and look out for certain buzz words. Dry wine will typically have less than 10 grams of sugar per liter, and sweet wine will most likely have more than 30 grams per liter. When it comes to sparkling wines, extra brut and brut are the driest, while demi-sec and doux are the sweetest. A standard 5-ounce pour of a dry table wine will average about 1 to 2 grams of residual sugar, while a 3.5 ounce pour of a sweet dessert wine will average around 8 grams.

Now that you understand how much natural, residual sugar is in wine, let’s talk about those added sugars — the sugar we don’t want in our glass of vino! Remember when we mentioned how sugar turns into alcohol during the fermentation process? Well, some wine producers choose not to pursue a long fermentation process as a way to save time and/or money. Therefore, the wine won’t have enough time to develop its flavor or achieve the desired alcohol content on its own. Instead, sugars and/or syrups, like a grape concentrate, are added to the wine either before or during the fermentation process to enhance the sweetness and raise the alcohol level. Instead of what could be a wine with pretty low residual sugar content, you’re met with a wine that has been doctored during the wine-making process, and you now have much more sugar in your glass of wine than you might think.

How low sugar wine is made?

It’s important to understand that there is a difference between natural sugars and added sugars. Natural sugars occur naturally.

Let’s take winemaking, for example. The natural sugars released from the grapes during production are known as residual sugar, and that’s normal to have residual sugar in your wine. In fact, all wine will have some amount of residual sugar. So, if you ever see a wine that’s branded as being sugar-free, beware. That means the producer has used some kind of chemical to remove the residual sugar, and who wants to drink wine that has been chemically enhanced? Not us.

Added sugars and sweeteners are used to add more flavor, but they also add more calories. One gram of sugar equals nine calories. Just keep that in mind.

Added sugars can be in the form of many things, including honey and coconut sugar — two sweeteners that are considered “healthier” alternatives to sugar due to certain properties they have, but even so, they are still recognized by the body as added sugars.

Avoiding excess added sugar is the best choice for overall health and wellness because it can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and improve your energy levels and mood.

Benefits and comparison of SYLTBAR wine.

More and more people are making lifestyle changes to reduce the amount of sugar they consume, such as following the Keto diet and searching for products that are low in added sugar or just don’t have any added sugar at all.

If you are looking for wine with no added sugar, and very low amounts of residual sugar, you have come to the right place. SYLTBAR wines from Italy / Friuli Venezia Giulia have been lab-tested by the University of Miami Diabetes Research Institute and proven to have lower sugar content than dozens of other well known brands on the market. Mr and Mrs SYLTBAR are only 2 SmartPoints for Weight Watchers, and absolutely Keto-friendly! 

SYLTBAR Premium Brut and Sparkling Rosé are known for containing far less sugar than other sparkling varieties. This is because our wine producers do allow time for that long fermentation process to occur. Our sparkling wines go through a four-month long double fermentation, which allows the grapes to fully develop. We use 100% Glera grape for our Prosecco, and 100% Merlot grape for our Sparkling Rosé. The Diabetes Research Institute at University of Miami conducted a study of our sparkling wines, and found that the glucose, fructose, and sucrose levels in our Prosecco and Sparkling Rosé, as well as the total sugar overall, are considerably lower than other brands. You can see which wines are low in sugar on our website. It’s pretty remarkable to see the difference in sugar content between SYLTBAR and popular brands such as Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot!

Mr SYLTBAR Premium Prosecco contains only 0.3 grams of sugar in a 6 oz. serving. Its glucose level is only 166 mg/100 ml versus other popular brands, such as Veuve Clicquot which has 703 mg/100 ml. Mrs SYLTBAR Sparkling Rosé has 0.45 grams of sugar per 6 oz. serving, with a glucose level of 186 mg/100 ml versus that same brand’s Sparkling Rosé which has 702 mg/100 ml. What a huge difference!

Because there is such a low sugar content, that means the calories are lower too! A 6-ounce glass of our Prosecco is only 49 calories, and the Sparkling Rosé is only 63 calories! Low in sugar, low in calories, and because we only produce in the most natural way possible, there are also no added sulfites or chemicals!

SYLTBAR fine wines are low in sugar as well, due to their much longer - sometimes more than 1 year - fermentation process, and of course, being produced 100% naturally. We offer red wine as well. Drinking red wine is good for your health. And here is why:

• Reduced risk of dementia: Drinking 1–2 glasses of wine per day has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (Source)
• Reduced risk of depression: A study of middle aged and elderly people showed that those who drank 2–7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to become depressed (1st Source & 2nd Source) 
• Reduced insulin resistance: Drinking 2 glasses per day of regular or dealcoholized red wine for 4 weeks may reduce insulin resistance.  
• Reduced risk of COVID-19 infection: A recent study found that red wine and fortified wine played a role in protecting test subjects from COVID-19 infection, while beer and spirits were shown to increase their risk (Source)

 Cabernet Franc, made from 100%Carmènre Grape, and three kinds of white wine: Friulano, made from 100% Friulano Grape, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Grigio Ramato, both made from 100% Pinot Grigio Grape.

The reason why SYLTBAR wines have such low sugar content is because of the double fermentation process that our winemakers use. This allows the grapes to fully develop, and there is no need to add anything to the wine because the flavor is pure and delicious. Other wine producers skip the double fermentation to save time and money, and instead, they use sugars and sweeteners to get the flavor where they want it to be. 

Only Mr and Mrs, along with Mr Big, conduct the double fermentation. However, due to the exceptional quality of our wines, some undergo an extended fermentation process, resulting in vintages that are aged longer. Many fine wines lack a specific vintage, such as Avaline, which doesn't offer wines with a designated year.

The Health Benefits of Making the Switch

The shift towards low-sugar or sugar-free wines is not just about reducing the numbers on the label; it's about making a healthier choice and feeling good about it. Selecting SYLTBAR as your wine brand of choice can offer several potential benefits, including aiding in weight management, supporting stable blood sugar levels, and promoting a more balanced lifestyle.

Mr Premium Prosecco and Mrs Sparkling Rosé have been proven by the University of Miami Diabetes Research Institute to be lower in sugar than many of the well known sparkling wine brands on the market and were put to the test with a live patient study that showed no spike in blood sugar in patients with diabetes as they consumed SYLTBAR.

Mr and Mrs have both been awarded with only 2 SmartPoints for Weight Watchers. Additionally, research over the years has shown that moderation and mindful consumption of such wines can contribute to overall well-being.

By exploring this world of low-calorie and low-sugar wines, you'll discover that making a healthier choice doesn't mean sacrificing taste. You know we call Mr and Mrs your “Happy Healthy Daily Juice” for a reason!

The science behind low-calorie and low-sugar wines reveals a thoughtful approach to blending the pleasures of wine with the pursuit of health-conscious living. By understanding the impact of calories and sugars on our bodies and the innovative techniques employed by winemakers, we can make informed decisions that align with our wellness goals. The SYLTBAR wines have never been produced to be lower in sugar. The positive side effect of our wines having less sugar and additives is due to our natural production methods. The soil where the wine is grown has been controlled and owned by our winery in Italy/Friuli since 1915. It always comes down to nature and purity, rather than just building a brand and advertising for low sugar and additives to make money. It is more about traditions and purity. This cannot be learned; it is innate.

Whether you're looking to manage your weight, stabilize blood sugar levels, or simply make mindful choices, SYLTBAR wines offer a delicious way to toast to a healthier future. Shop for low-calorie, low-sugar wine options at syltbar.com or check the locator to find a retailer near you that carries our wines.

Cheers to a happier, healthier you!