Q: Is wine high in vitamin D?—Suzette, Baton Rouge, La.
A: Wine contains many compounds, including polyphenols and a range of nutrients, that have been tied to potential health benefits. Given vitamin D’s importance to health and the relatively high frequency of vitamin D insufficiency, it makes sense to wonder whether wine contains this bone-building vitamin.
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid that helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphorus, which are both crucial for good bone health. It also plays a role in reducing inflammation and many other biological processes.
The vitamin comes in two primary forms. Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, naturally occurs in plants and fungi; vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, occurs in animals. In the body, vitamin D is initially inert; successive hydroxylation reactions in the liver and kidneys produce the biologically active form.
In humans, most circulating vitamin D is made in the skin in response to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. A limited number of foods—including egg yolks, beef liver, some mushrooms and oily fishes like salmon, trout and tuna—naturally contain vitamin D. It’s also commonly added to other foods, including breakfast cereal, milk and orange juice. Some people choose to take vitamin D as a dietary supplement.
Wine and Vitamin D
For people hoping to boost their vitamin D levels with a glass of vino, there’s bad news. Wine contains no vitamin D, according to an analysis performed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
That said, it doesn’t appear that moderate wine consumption has a negative effect on vitamin D levels. Moderate drinking could even improve them. Some studies have indicated that heavy drinkers tend to have low vitamin D levels, while others have indicated a positive association between alcohol consumption and vitamin D. In 2016, a literature review of nearly 50 studies found that overall, there was inconclusive evidence about alcohol’s potential impact on vitamin D levels. Research is ongoing.
The bottom line? If you’re taking other steps to ensure your vitamin D levels are within your desired range—spending time outdoors, eating a vitamin D–rich diet or taking a supplement—drinking wine in moderation probably isn’t anything to worry about.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Vitamin D Supplements?
It’s fairly common to have a low level of vitamin D despite seeking out sunshine and foods rich in the vitamin. For that reason, many people turn to vitamin D supplements.
There’s no conclusive evidence that moderate drinking affects the bioavailability of vitamin D supplements. In general, experts say a glass or two of wine a day is unlikely to negatively impact the effectiveness of nutritional supplements, including multivitamins. That said, it’s always smart to check with your healthcare provider about any potential interactions with the specific supplements you choose to take.
What About Wine and Other Vitamins?
While wine probably won’t help boost your vitamin D levels, it does contain many other nutrients, including potassium and even fiber. And when consumed with a range of healthy foods, wine has been shown time and again to be a solid component of a balanced diet for many people.
Notably, drinking alcohol, especially in large amounts, can negatively impact the absorption of vitamin B12, which could have implications for hangovers and your overall health. Stay tuned for a future Health Q&A on that topic.
As always, talk to your healthcare provider about incorporating wine into a healthy lifestyle.—Kenny Martin
