The people of the Mediterranean have long maintained that wine is essential to good health. New research is lending credence to this belief. A large-scale study showed that over 40,000 people following a traditional Mediterranean Diet which included 1-2 glasses of wine per day were 30% less likely to die of cardiovascular disease than those who followed more typical western diets. In short, wine appears to work with rather than against the other healthy foods and eating habits of the Mediterranean Diet.

For most people on diabetic diets, however, the simple pleasure of a glass of wine or beer with dinner is a thing of the past. The belief is that the sugars in many alcoholic beverages can spike blood-glucose to dangerous levels. While this is true for many sweet and high-carbohydrate drinks, recent studies show that dry wines can actually reduce blood glucose levels, improve insulin resistance and dramatically lower the risk of coronary artery disease and other heart problems for people with diabetes.

Does wine spike blood sugar?

Because high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is a characteristic of diabetes, diabetic diets are primarily concerned with stabilizing blood glucose levels. Recent studies have shown that moderate consumption of wine, however, can actually help lower blood sugar. Because of their high sugar content, however, sweet wines should be avoided in favor of dry ones. Some low-carbohydrate beers may also be safely added to diabetic diets. Furthermore, women who drank small amounts of alcohol also lowered their peak levels of insulin. This is a significant benefit to people with diabetes since high peak levels of insulin are known to increase blood fat and cholesterol and increase the risk of heart attacks.

Does wine lower cholesterol?

Many studies have shown that alcohol has a profound effect on regulating cholesterol and protecting the body against heart attacks, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and other heart complications. This effect appears even greater in people with diabetes. A recent study showed that people with diabetes who drank a moderate amount of alcohol daily reduced their risk of coronary heart disease by 60% compared to a 40% reduction in people without diabetes. This is because alcohol helps increase the levels of "good" HDL-cholesterol in the body. What's more, the flavonoids found in red wine inhibit the oxidation of "bad" LDL-cholesterol which causes fatty buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis).

How much wine should I drink?

Adding 1-2 glasses of wine per day to diabetic diets is enough to gain the health benefits outlined above. Care should be taken not to overdo it, however, as over consumption of alcohol can lead to other health risks and actually worsen diabetic symptoms. Diabetes should always be managed with the advice and care of a trained medical professional. Consider the heart-healthy benefits of wine and other foods in the Mediterranean Diet when exploring the various diabetic diets available to you.

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