Q. Does it matter if it's red wine or white wine?

Peggie - About.com User

On the down side, drinking either red or white wine may increase homocysteine levels, which is not good, however increasing intake of vitamin B6 may counteract that effect.

Remember that while one glass of wine per day may be good for you, it is not a case of more is better. Heavy drinking of any kind of alcoholic beverages will increase your risk of several chronic diseases.

_Sources:

Rajdl D, Racek J, Trefil L, Siala K. "Effect of white wine consumption on oxidative stress markers and homocysteine levels." Physiol Res. 2006 Mar 23.

Rifici VA, Stephan EM, Schneider SH, Khachadurian AK. "Red wine inhibits the cell-mediated oxidation of LDL and HDL." J Am Coll Nutr. 1999 Apr;18(2):137-43.

Tsang C, Higgins S, Duthie GG, Duthie SJ, Howie M, Mullen W, Lean ME, Crozier A. "The influence of moderate red wine consumption on antioxidant status and indices of oxidative stress associated with CHD in healthy volunteers." Br J Nutr. 2005 Feb;93(2):233-40.

Pignatelli P, Ghiselli A, Buchetti B, Carnevale R, Natella F, Germano G, Fimognari F, Di Santo S, Lenti L, Violi F. "Polyphenols synergistically inhibit oxidative stress in subjects given red and white wine." Atherosclerosis. 2006 Sep;188(1):77-83. Epub 2005 Nov 23.

van der Gaag MS, Ubbink JB, Sillanaukee P, Nikkari S, Hendriks HF. "Effect of consumption of red wine, spirits, and beer on serum homocysteine." Lancet. 2000 Apr 29;355(9214):1522.