Is it Healthier to Drink Gin or Wine? A Comprehensive Breakdown

December 7, 2025 •

5 min read

Recent studies have found that red wine drinkers tend to have a wider diversity of gut bacteria, a marker for better gut health. This adds a new dimension to the debate: is it healthier to drink gin or wine? While both are alcoholic beverages, their composition and potential health effects differ significantly, influencing everything from calorie count to antioxidant intake.

Quick Summary

This guide compares the health profiles of gin and wine, detailing their caloric, sugar, and antioxidant content. It examines the potential health benefits and risks of each, offering a balanced perspective to help inform drinking habits.

Key Points

Nutritional Comparison: Gin is generally lower in calories, sugar, and carbohydrates than wine, particularly when consumed neat or with a low-sugar mixer.
Antioxidant Content: Red wine contains beneficial polyphenols like resveratrol, which offer antioxidant properties, but the health benefits are often overstated and achievable through other food sources.
Gin's Benefits: Gin contains some antioxidants from juniper berries, but these benefits are likely minimal after distillation. Its low sugar content makes it a better choice for those watching their glycemic index.
Health Risks: Both gin and wine pose significant health risks if consumed in excess, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and increased cancer risk. Moderation is paramount.
Personal Factors: The 'healthier' choice depends on personal goals, such as weight management (favoring gin) versus potential, albeit limited, antioxidant intake (favoring wine).
Moderation is Key: Experts agree that the healthiest level of alcohol consumption is none, and that moderation is the most important factor when choosing between alcoholic beverages.
Histamine Sensitivity: For individuals with histamine sensitivity, gin may be a better option than red wine, which is naturally higher in histamines and can trigger allergy-like symptoms.

For health-conscious individuals, the choice between different types of alcohol often comes down to minimizing calories, sugar, and potential negative health impacts. Gin, a distilled spirit, and wine, a fermented beverage, present very different nutritional profiles and potential health effects that are worth exploring before you pour your next drink. The core difference lies in their production processes: gin is distilled from a grain mash flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals, while wine is fermented from grapes. This distinction heavily influences their final composition.

The Nutritional Breakdown: Gin vs. Wine

The most significant differences between gin and wine can be seen by comparing their nutritional content, particularly in terms of calories, sugar, and carbohydrates. Gin, especially when consumed neat, is notably leaner in these areas compared to wine.

Gin’s Nutritional Profile

Gin is a distilled spirit, and in its purest form, contains no added sugar and no carbohydrates. A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof gin typically contains about 97 calories. The key to keeping gin a low-calorie choice is the mixer. A gin and diet tonic or soda water is a very low-calorie option, whereas a gin and regular tonic can significantly increase the sugar and carb count.

Wine’s Nutritional Profile

Wine, being a fermented grape product, naturally contains residual sugars and carbohydrates. The content varies greatly by type: a 5-ounce glass of red or white wine averages around 120 calories and 4 grams of carbs. However, the alcohol content (and therefore, calories) can be higher in some wines, particularly those with higher alcohol by volume (ABV). The sugar content is also dependent on the type of wine, with dry wines having minimal sugar and sweeter dessert wines having significantly more.

Health Benefits and Risks: A Closer Look

Beyond basic nutrition, the discussion of which is healthier hinges on the non-alcoholic compounds and the impact of the alcohol itself. This is where the narrative becomes more complex, moving beyond simple caloric comparisons.

The Case for Wine (Especially Red)

Polyphenols and Antioxidants: Red wine is particularly rich in polyphenols, such as resveratrol, which come from the grape skins during the fermentation process. These compounds act as powerful antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Studies have linked moderate red wine consumption to cardiovascular protective effects, though the dose of resveratrol required to achieve significant benefits is much higher than that found in a single glass.
Gut Health: The polyphenols in red wine have also been linked to a more diverse gut microbiota, which is associated with better overall health.
Potential Overhype: It's important to note that the "health halo" surrounding wine, particularly red wine, is often overblown. Many of the purported benefits from resveratrol can be obtained more effectively from other foods like blueberries, grapes, or dark chocolate.

The Case for Gin

Fewer Calories and Sugar: As noted, gin has a clear advantage for those managing weight or watching sugar intake, especially when mixed wisely. This makes it a more diabetic-friendly option compared to most wines.
Juniper Berry Botanicals: Gin's primary botanical, the juniper berry, contains antioxidants and flavonoids that have been associated with anti-inflammatory properties. However, the health benefits of these compounds likely don't survive the distillation process in high enough concentrations to be impactful.
Lower Histamines: Some people are sensitive to histamines, which are naturally occurring compounds that are more prevalent in fermented beverages like red wine. Gin's lower histamine content may make it a better choice for those prone to allergic reactions like runny noses or headaches after drinking wine.

The Risks of Alcohol

Regardless of type, all alcohol carries risks, especially when consumed in excess. Both gin and wine pose long-term health risks including liver disease, cardiovascular issues, increased cancer risk, and mental health problems. There is no truly "safe" level of alcohol consumption, and for many health outcomes, the minimum harm is associated with zero drinks per week.

Comparison Table: Gin vs. Wine


Feature	Gin (1.5 oz neat)	Wine (5 oz glass)
Calories	~97	~120-130
Sugar	0g	Varies, typically 1-4g
Carbohydrates	0g	Varies, typically 4g
Antioxidants	Trace from juniper (largely lost)	Rich in polyphenols (especially red)
Histamines	Low	Higher, can trigger allergies
Potential Health Perks	Low-cal, low-sugar if mixed wisely	Antioxidants (resveratrol)

How to Make the Healthier Choice

Ultimately, the "healthier" choice between gin and wine is less about a clear winner and more about how and why you drink. For those focused on a low-calorie, low-sugar option, gin holds the advantage, especially when mixed simply with diet tonic or soda water. If you are looking for antioxidants and a more complex profile from a fermented product, wine—particularly red—is the choice, though you shouldn't rely on it for significant health benefits.

Here are some tips for navigating your decision:

Mind Your Mixers: For gin, stick to diet or sugar-free mixers. For wine, choosing a dry variety over a sweet one will reduce sugar intake.
Prioritize Moderation: Moderate consumption is key, regardless of your choice. The risks of excessive alcohol consumption far outweigh any potential health benefits from either drink.
Listen to Your Body: If you find that wine (particularly red) gives you headaches or other symptoms, it may be a sign of histamine sensitivity, making gin a better option for you.
Consider the Whole Picture: Remember that a healthy lifestyle involves much more than your choice of alcoholic beverage. A balanced diet and regular exercise will always have a greater impact than the minimal benefits of a moderate drink.

Conclusion

In the debate of which is healthier, gin or wine, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. From a purely nutritional standpoint for weight and sugar management, gin (with the right mixer) is the superior choice. However, red wine offers a higher concentration of potentially beneficial antioxidants, though the actual health impact of these compounds is often exaggerated. Both beverages contain alcohol and should be consumed in moderation, as the risks associated with excessive drinking are significant. The healthiest approach is to enjoy either beverage responsibly, as part of an overall balanced and active lifestyle.

Sources

Daily Mail. "Red wine tops the list while spirits and cheap branded beer come last in new study." July 1, 2022. Golden Road Gin. "Gin vs. Wine vs. Beer: Which Alcoholic Drink Is Healthier?" Accessed October 11, 2025. USA Today. "What is the healthiest alcohol? 'Healthy' liquor, wine, beer to try." August 6, 2023. EatingWell. "4 Reasons Drinking Gin Might Be Good for Your Health." January 27, 2025. Feel Fresh Nutrition. "Alcohol and your choices." September 17, 2021. Mixly Cocktail Co. "Low Sugar Mixed Drinks For The Health Conscious." April 13, 2022. Bagnarese. "Wine Polyphenols: What they are, Why they matter, and..." March 26, 2025. National Institutes of Health. "Polyphenols are medicine: Is it time to prescribe red wine for..." Accessed October 11, 2025. ARK Behavioral Health. "Is Drinking Gin Good For You? | Potential Benefits & Risks." September 27, 2021. Gin Observer. "Is Gin Good For You? - The Health Benefits Of Gin." Accessed October 11, 2025. News-Medical. "Why Wine is Damaging Our Body More Than We Thought." May 22, 2020. WebMD. "Gin: Are There Health Benefits?" September 24, 2024. The Telegraph. "All the benefits of having a G&T over a glass of wine." Accessed October 11, 2025. Diet vs Disease. "Total Calories in Alcohol? This Is How Many Are In Your Favorite..." August 27, 2024.

[Disclaimer: Always consult a healthcare professional regarding alcohol consumption, especially if you have existing health conditions.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Gin, especially when consumed neat or with a zero-calorie mixer like soda water, is generally better for weight loss due to its lower calorie and zero-sugar content compared to wine.

From an antioxidant perspective, red wine is generally considered healthier than white wine because it contains higher levels of polyphenols and resveratrol from the grape skins. However, all wine should be consumed in moderation.

No, it is highly unlikely that the minimal health benefits of juniper berries survive the distillation process in high enough concentrations to be effective. The potential health benefits of gin are minimal and primarily related to its lower calorie and sugar content when mixed properly.

While some studies have linked moderate red wine consumption to cardiovascular health, the effect is often overhyped. The benefits are often tied to the polyphenols, but similar or greater health gains can be achieved through a balanced diet rich in other antioxidant sources like fruits and vegetables.

Gin, when consumed on its own or with a sugar-free mixer, contains no carbohydrates and no sugar, making it a better option for diabetics compared to most wines, which contain residual sugars. Diabetics should consult their doctor before consuming alcohol.

The most significant health risk associated with all alcohol consumption, including gin and wine, is the potential for long-term health problems such as liver disease, increased cancer risk, and addiction, especially with excessive drinking.

Red wine is more likely to cause allergic-like reactions such as headaches or runny noses due to its higher histamine content, a byproduct of the fermentation process. Gin contains significantly lower levels of histamines.