It seems Americans are always trying to come up with new ways to lose or keep off weight. So what is the latest controversial weight-loss technique? A glass of wine.

Grabbing a glass of wine may seem like an easy thing to do, but think before you act. When delving into the research of wine and keeping off weight, the results seem highly inconclusive.

Media miscommunications about weight-loss techniques could create issues for people actually struggling with their weight. “Live with Regis and Kelly” is seen by millions of viewers, so when Kelly Ripa declares that a glass of wine helps keep off the pounds, it is easy to believe.

So lets get the facts in order — wine can help keep you lean in some cases, but that isn’t true 100 percent of the time.

In an online blog for Prevention magazine, author of “The Fat-Free Truth: Real Answers to the Fitness and Weight-Loss Questions You Wonder About Most” Liz Neporent states that a nationwide survey showed that those who had one to two alcoholic beverages a day were less likely to be obese. While this information seems hopeful, she recognizes in her blog that people who consumed more than two drinks a day actually happened to be more obese.

“More wine doesn’t mean leaner,” Neoporent wrote.

So while in some instances wine can help, an abundance of wine can hurt. The miscommunication about the effects of wine could cause those looking to shed pounds to actually gain weight.

In a 2004 research experiment, the International Journal of Obesity found that on a restrictive diet, wine was effective in helping overweight and obese subjects. However, the same amount of weight was lost and/or kept off as when drinking grape juice.

While body weight reduction was achieved, the evidence still does not conclude that wine had anything to truly do with it. In fact, it only seems to infer that the energy in grapes may have a direct effect on weight.

Jenna Schulner, a sophomore studying to be a nutritionist, states that the only healthy way to lose or keep off weight is eating correctly and taking care of your body. Unhealthy weight loss techniques can be associated with the issue of obesity, and is just as bad as eating poorly.

“You can’t trust all the hype about weight-loss techniques; you have to stick with what actually works and keeps your body healthy at the same time,” Schulner explained.

So when looking to keep lean, a glass or two of wine here and there could help, but don’t rely on it.

Even though it may seem like a great idea to enjoy a drink to keep off the pounds, the best way to stay lean is still to eat healthy and get exercise.