It
is commonly believed that drinking alcohol will worsen blood sugar control in
type 2 diabetes but the evidence shows otherwise. In an analysis of
the available randomized studies that compared patients with diabetes who drank alcohol with those that did not,
alcohol was found to make no difference to blood sugar control [1].
Furthermore, there are important potential benefits for moderate alcohol
intake (up to one drink daily) in patients with type 2 diabetes:
§ Better
sleep and improved markers of cardio-metabolic risk control, especially with
red wine [2]
§ Less risk
of death from any cause [3]
§ Less
heart disease and stroke [3]
§ Less risk
of kidney disease [4]
In
addition, for people without type 2 diabetes, moderate alcohol
consumption significantly reduced the risk of developing diabetes [5] and has
anti-inflammatory benefits. [6]
My
recommendation:
For those who can avoid drinking to
excess, with or without type 2 diabetes, one 5-ounce serving of red wine with a
meal remains a reasonable choice. For more information on alcohol and health,
see Good Food, Great Medicine (3rd
edition) page 39.
Miles
Hassell MD