Do you have type 2 diabetes? And are you wondering, “can diabetics drink wine?” It can be hard to know what’s right when it comes to alcohol. Is it best not to drink any at all? Or is drinking some in moderation okay, or even beneficial?

Recent findings from a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that a glass of wine per day can be helpful for type 2 diabetics.

A glass of wine may have advantages over a glass of water

Researchers published a study in October 2015 that investigated the differences between drinking a glass of white wine, a glass of red wine, or a glass of mineral water with dinner. 

The study involved 224 people with type 2 diabetes. They drank either wine or mineral water daily with dinner, and all of the participants followed a Mediterranean diet for the entire study.

Those people who drank red wine saw significant increases in HDL cholesterol levels (the healthy kind) and decreased total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratios compared to those who drank white wine or water.

There was also a connection between wine consumption and blood sugar levels – but only for people who metabolize alcohol slowly. Those people who drank red or white wine, and who metabolized alcohol slowly (which is determined by genetic factors) saw beneficial effects on blood sugar control compared to people who drank mineral water, including significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose and improved measures of insulin resistance.

Because both red and white wine made a difference in blood sugar control, and because the rate of alcohol metabolism made a difference, the authors believe that it may be the alcohol itself that contributed to the improvements seen. This may mean that alcohol in general, not just the alcohol found in wine, could play an important role in blood sugar regulation.

Wine as part of a healthy lifestyle

The results of this study “suggest that initiating moderate wine intake, especially red wine, among well-controlled diabetics as part of a healthy diet is apparently safe and modestly decreased cardiometabolic risk.”

This means that incorporating a glass of wine into your evening doesn’t necessarily have to be a guilty pleasure – instead, it may be part of a healthy lifestyle. Just be sure to keep your consumption in moderation and to monitor your symptoms.

Both red and white wine benefitted those with diabetes, but red wine had more advantages when it came to cholesterol control, so try choosing red wine over white.

Additional health benefits of wine and beer

Studies have linked it to healthier cholesterol levels, showing that it can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol.

Red wine may also decrease your risk for a number of diseases, including depression, dementia, heart disease, and even type 2 diabetes itself.

If you don’t like wine, beer can be a good alternative. It is good for your heart when consumed in moderation. Craft beer is a particularly healthy option.

Share your experience

What do you think, is wine healthy? Do you notice any health benefits of drinking wine or beer? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

[1] Ann Intern Med. 2015 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print]