Dry Wines Have Shown to Help Maintain Insulin Production

The earliest archaeological and archaeobotanical evidence for grape wine and viniculture, dating to 6000–5800 BC was found on the territory of modern Georgia. Red wine has been part of social, religious, and cultural events for hundreds of years. Medieval monasteries believed that their monks lived longer partly because of their regular, moderate drinking of wine. In the last 25 years there have been vast improvements made in the wine industry due to science of viticulture and improved technology. Also, with the rise of ship to your door wine subscription boxes, 2021 is a great time for wine lovers to be alive!

 

There is more research needed to be done on the full scope of positive and negative effects of drinking a glass of wine each day. But overall we see that drinking a glass of red wine each day can be part of a healthy diet and may have certain health benefits. 

 

Medical News Today reports that, “One 2015 study has shown that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner “modestly decreases cardiometabolic risk” in people with type 2 diabetes and that a moderate intake of red wine is usually safe. The scientists believe that the ethanol in wine plays a crucial role in metabolizing glucose and that the nonalcoholic ingredients may also contribute.” They call for more research to confirm the findings.

 

Depending on the sugar content, many wines can actually have positive effects on the progress of one’s condition. Dry wines have shown to help maintain insulin production. Nevertheless, many wines include quite a bit of sugar and thus can pose just as great a threat as beer or cocktails. Wine has, in almost all cases, a degree more alcohol than beer, putting you at risk there as well. Both red and white wines are linked to heart health and insulin sensitivity—so, in moderation, they may actually be good for you. With wine limit yourself to only the driest whites and reds, with two glasses being your hard limit. 

 

People with type 2 should avoid low-alcohol wines – these often have more sugar than normal ones. You should always try to limit drinks with a lot of sugar, such as sweet sherries, sweet wines and liqueurs.
 Sweet wines are produced when the fermentation is interrupted before all the grape sugars are converted into alcohol. Not only can they raise your blood sugar levels, but they can also account for a significant portion of your daily recommended caloric intake. For most dry table wines that hover somewhere between 11 and 14 percent alcohol by volume, a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Looking for wines that are sustainably farmed may also be better for your health and the environment. A sustainably farmed label will mean less pesticides and fewer synthetic chemicals in your bottle. To be certified sustainable, wineries and vineyards must have an independent third party evaluate their farming practices and see if they meet certain eco-friendly standards. Certified organic wines will mean no added sulfites in your bottle. The most basic definition of organic wine is wine made from organically farmed grapes. The standards for what constitutes “organic farming” vary from country to country, but generally excludes the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you should be aware of the other health risks around drinking. That way, you can help to avoid them by limiting how much you drink. Avoid over drinking as too much alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia. Pairing your glass of wine with a healthy snack such as hummus, nuts, vegetables or a low-fat cheese like parmesan or goat cheese. Drink a big glass of water before or after enjoying your glass of wine to counteract the dehydrating effect alcohol has. 

There are serious risks in over drinking including:

  • A lot of heavy drinking can lead to raised blood pressure.
  • Alcohol can make neuropathy (nerve damage) worse.
  • It dehydrates your body and stops you sleeping properly.
  • It can also lead to certain cancers and heart disease.

Overall, many researchers have concluded that having one glass (for women) or two glasses (for men) of wine a day does have potential positive health benefits including reducing blood pressure, improving your cardiovascular and gut health, reduces inflammation and depression and might even make you live longer! Anyone with diabetes should check with their doctor before drinking alcohol and remember that moderation is key.

Enjoy a glass of wine while you connect with our community in our free diabetes support group: Winning Type 2 Diabetes Together.