White, white wine

A bottle of red. A bottle of white. Turns out both may keep you healthy tonight (Billy Joel, I am not). Though previous research suggested that red wine offered cardiovascular benefits, a new study out of the University of Connecticut reveals that a nice Chardonnay may also do the trick.

The previous misconception about white wine stemmed mostly from what was known of the actual wine making process. You see, to make white wine, the grape's skins are removed before fermentation. During the making of red wine, however, these skins are left in tact. And, since it is the skin that contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that has been shown to improve blood flow, it was assumed that red wine was far healthier.

But, researchers at UConn beg to differ. In their studies, they determined that an unidentified antioxidant found in white wine offers similar heart protection. According to the researchers, drinking a glass or two of either red or white wine should therefore have equal benefit.