In a nutshell
This study determined whether or not a moderate intake of wine would be overall beneficial for patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. The authors concluded that initiating the drinking of wine, as part of a healthy diet, modestly decreases heart-disease risk.
Some background
Moderate consumption of alcohol (particularly wine) has been associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and heart disease. It is unclear, however, whether or not it is overall advisable for T2D patients to drink moderate amounts of wine.
Methods & findings
This study investigated the potential benefits of drinking moderately for T2D patients. 224 T2D patients followed one of three drinking routines. All patients had well-controlled T2D (i.e. an average HbA1c of 6.9%). Before the study, the selected patients had been abstaining from alcohol. Each treatment group consumed their assigned drink with dinner for two years. Group A received 150mL of mineral water, Group B received 150mL white wine and Group C received 150mL of red wine. Each group also followed a Mediterranean Diet (i.e. a diet consisting of grains, legumes, olive oil and fish, with limited red meat and processed foods). This diet was not calorie-restricted. Patients had various blood tests taken every year for two years. These tests included the identification of individuals who carried copies of the gene allowing the quicker processing of alcohol in the liver. This gene is called "ADH1B*2".
Drinking wine (red or white) had beneficial effects on diabetes tests. These effects were only seen, however, in those who were slow ethanol metaboliziers. Slow ethanol metabolizers were those who carried a copy of ADH1B*1 instead of ADH1B*2.
Both wine groups also had improved sleep quality compared to Group A.
Group C increased their "good" HDL cholesterol by 0.05mmol/L compared to Group A. Group C also decreased their ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholsterol (a ratio that should not be too high) by 0.27 units compared to Group A.
Those drinking red wine had some added benefits not seen in the water group. In particular, they had an overall reduced risk of developing the Metabolic Syndrome (i.e. a collection of symptoms predisposing an individual to heart-disease). There were no differences in blood pressure, body fat, liver function, drug therapy or quality of life among any of the three groups.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that initiating a moderate intake of wine (especially red wine) can be beneficial for patients with well-controlled T2D and who also follow a healthy diet.
The fine print
Advising to drink wine may not be suitable for patients with a history of alcohol abuse.
Published By :
Annals of internal medicine
Date :
Oct 13, 2015
