A daily glass of red wine could help Type 2 diabetics

A glass of red wine a day could keep Type 2 diabetes under control, according to new research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Scientists found that people who had a regular glass of red wine with their evening meal had healthier hearts and cholesterol levels than those who drank mineral water or white wine.

Professor Iris Shai, of the Ben-Gurion University in Israel, said: “Red wine was found to be superior in improving overall metabolic profiles.

“Initiating moderate wine intake, especially red wine, among well-controlled diabetics, as part of a healthy diet, is apparently safe, and modestly decreases cardio-metabolic risk.

“The differential genetic effects that were found may assist in identifying diabetic patients in whom moderate wine consumption may induce greater clinical benefit.”

Funded by a grant from the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, the two-year CArdiovaSCulAr Diabetes and Ethanol (CASCADE) trial was performed on 224 Type 2 diabetic alcohol-abstaining patients aged 45 to 75.

Participants of the study were randomised into three groups according to whether they consumed a five-ounce serving (150ml) of mineral water, white wine or red wine with every dinner.

During the study participants underwent comprehensive medical tests including continuous monitoring of changes in blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose levels and follow-up MRI scans for fat depositaries and hardening of the arteries.

Scientists revealed that healthy antioxidants in dark grapes, known as phenols, were found to improve sugar control among those carrying genes that helped them to metabolise alcohol slowly.

In addition, sleep quality was significantly improved in participants in both wine groups, compared to participants in the mineral water group.

Researchers highlighted that people living with diabetes are more susceptible to developing cardiovascular diseases than the general population and have lower levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.

Yet, neither red nor white wine had any effect on blood pressure, liver function, adiposity or contribute to adverse events or symptoms in the participants.

According to the NHS, Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and tends to be diagnosed in older people. It is thought that there are currently 3.9 million people living with diabetes in the UK, with 90 per cent of those affected having Type 2 diabetes.

However, around 850,000 cases of Type 2 diabetes in the UK are currently undiagnosed.

Professor Shai concluded: “The genetic interactions suggest that ethanol plays an important role in glucose metabolism, while red wine's effects additionally involve non-alcoholic constituents.

“Yet, any clinical implication of the CASCADE findings should be taken with caution with careful medical follow-up."

Compliance with alcohol intake was monitored throughout the study and all participants followed a non-calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet.