You Ask, I Answer: Wine

I've read red wine is the only healthy alcoholic drink. True?
-- Nydia Parries
Brooklyn, New York

Partially true. It is true that the antioxidants in red wine – courtesy of the fermented grapes that make it – have been found to help with circulation and heart health. White wine also has these components, although to a lesser degree.

That being said, that statistic only applies to one 4 - 6 ounce glass a day for women, and two for men. These health properties are not cumulative (no wine for five days followed by 10 glasses on Friday night has very harmful, not beneficial, effects).

Keep in mind that no one ever developed cardiovascular disease from NOT drinking red wine.

And, don’t forget that red wine still has calories. One 6-ounce glass packs 128 calories, which translates to 512 calories per bottle.

In conclusion, if you already are a wine drinker, one or two glasses a day (depending on your sex) can provide health benefits. Otherwise, you're better off looking for antioxidants in actual foods than in wine.