Are ciders healthier than wine?

Half a pint of cider provides the same amount of antioxidants as a glass of red wine. A cider usually contains much more natural sugars than wine, which ultimately makes a substantial difference.

Are ciders healthier than wine?

Half a pint of cider provides the same amount of antioxidants as a glass of red wine. A cider usually contains much more natural sugars than wine, which ultimately makes a substantial difference. The sugar content in cider is around 6% to 15%, while the sugar content of wine rarely exceeds 2%. When the wine exceeds 2% sugar, it is usually a dessert wine or a port made explicitly because of its sweetness.

Cider, like red wine, contains quite a lot of antioxidants due to the superfood qualities provided by apple. A popular word that is used quite often in the health world, and rightly so, antioxidants are compounds found in fresh foods and vegetables that help slow down free radicals in the body that cause negative health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, and aging. In fact, cider contains more antioxidants than green tea and, when consumed in moderation, can deliver positive results beyond a buzz. At first glance, you can see that there are more calories in white wine than in cider.

According to Vogue, hard cider is the fastest-growing category of spirits and, in addition to providing people with bursts of autumnal flavors, it also includes additional wellness benefits. From a purely health standpoint, ciders seem to have a lot more going for them, but let's be honest, you're not going to drink ciders (or beers) because they're healthy. The acid in cider promotes iron absorption, which is important because iron is a key part of hemoglobin, which feeds muscles with oxygen during exercise. As a result, it usually has fewer carbohydrates than cider, which makes it a little “healthier”, even though the number of calories remains approximately the same.

More specifically, only a third of a pint of wine is needed to have the same alcoholic effects as a pint of cider. Cider is also nutrient-rich, as it contains pectin, B vitamins, biotin, folic acid and, unlike beer, vitamin C. With demand for ciders increasing, breweries, bars and restaurants are meeting popular demand by offering unique and tasty cider options, whether bottled or on tap. With a few winter months ahead (and more depending on your location) and the flu season in full swing, getting an extra dose of vitamin C is a great idea and cider has plenty.

Apple skin contains many compounds that contribute to the flavor of cider; therefore, cider manufacturers do not peel it before making it. The main difference between cider and wine is the time that different fruits spend in the fermentation process. And while cider and wine share similarities but are different due to differences in their production method. Therefore, considering UK consumption, and given that both beer and cider are so popular, it is very important to understand why the healthy aspect of these drinks is so important.

Cider contains something called polyphenols, natural compounds that improve blood pressure and cholesterol. It all depends on the style of the cider, if it is a fully fermented dry cider, it will not contain sugar at all. Because winemakers let wine sit longer in the fermentation process, it can be assumed that both red and white wine have less sugar than cider.

Ernie Summitt
Ernie Summitt

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