The Wine Diet is a book first published in the United Kingdom outlining a weight-loss plan that touts the beneficial effects of limited consumption of wine, particularly red wine. First published in 2006, the book was subsequently republished in 2007 in the United States under the title The Red Wine Diet. Typically, wine diet supporters point to the benefits of an organic chemical occurring in red wine called procyanidins. The chemical, which is most often found in younger French and Italian wines, is said to help fight heart disease.
A number of other books on the subject similarly support the healthy benefits of red wine. Some of these books include, The Wine Lover’s Diet and The Vino Diet™. The diets tend to differ in the interpretation of the benefits of wine. In addition to the reduced risk of heart disease, some suggest wine, in moderation, as a healthier substitute for high-fat or high-sugar foods. For women in particular, some believe, red wine speeds metabolism, which can result in weight loss as well.
Along with the limited consumption of red wine, proponents of dieting with wine usually suggest an overall healthier focus on food choices. The diets typically encourage participants to eat more fruit and vegetables. Creators of the diets also encourage participants to eat only when they are hungry, to avoid overeating and to avoid drinking wine too late in the evening or too close to bedtime. Some researchers say drinking just before sleep can lead to weight gain.
Professor Roger Corder is the author of The Wine Diet. He is generally acknowledged as the originator of the concept. Corder is a British teacher and pharmacological researcher and is a pharmacist.
The Wine Diet, or The Red Wine Diet, is divided into 11 chapters and features two weeks worth of sample menus. Chapters one through six focus on the benefits of red wine, in particular why it is beneficial and why wine is the preferred source of many for procyanidins. The seventh and eighth chapters detail which red wines offer the best source of the chemical and why moderation is important. Final chapters focus on healthy lifestyle choices.
Among the criticisms of The Wine Diet is the assertion that it does not encourage participants to exercise enough as part of an overall weight-loss plan. The book does speak to the benefits of 60 minutes of activity daily. There also are substitutes for alcohol mentioned in the book for those who prefer not to drink alcohol.