Healthy Living

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Has Beneficial Glycemic Effects

Kroenke CH, Chu NF, Rifai N, Spiegelman D, Hankinson SE, Manson JE, Rimm EB.
Diabetes Care 2003; July; 26:1971-1978.

Objective:

Little research has explored associations of drinking patterns with glycemic control, especially among women. Our objective was to determine the relationship of patterns of alcohol consumption-including average daily consumption, weekly frequency of consumption, drinking with meals, and beverage type-with biologic markers of insulin resistance in young women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was cross-sectional in design. The subjects consisted of a stratified random subpopulation of 459 U.S. normal-weight and overweight female nurses, 33-50 years of age, drawn from the Nurses' Health Study II and sampled for distinct drinking patterns. Women provided blood samples and detailed information on dietary and lifestyle factors between 1995 and 1999. The main outcome measures were fasting insulin, C-peptide, and HbA(1c). RESULTS: Adjusting for age, smoking, physical activity, television watching, BMI, and several dietary factors, average alcohol intake was inversely associated with HbA(1c) (units in percentage of HbA(1c)): 0 g/day (reference = 5.36%), 0.1 to <5.0 g/day (-0.04%), 5.0 to <15.0 g/day (-0.09%), 15.0 to <25.0 g/day (-0.10%), and > or =25.0 g/day (-0.17%) (P value, test for trend <0.001). We found an inverse association of alcohol intake and insulin, but only for women with a BMI > or =25 kg/m(2). Specifically, insulin levels were lowest for episodic drinkers consuming > or =2 drinks per day on 0-3 days per week. Consumption with meals and type of alcoholic beverage did not further influence these results. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate alcohol consumption of 1-2 drinks per day on a few to several days of the week may have a beneficial glycemic effect, particularly among overweight women.

What this means:

Molecular evidence for the cardioprotective effects of wine are mounting. The researchers in this study have found in vivo evidence that in human female subjects there is a positive effect on human insulin levels. Through the use of detailed questionnaires, the researchers were able to assess several factors that play a role in blood sugar levels and their control. The authors found that even in the presence of obesity, there was a relationship that indicated that more than one drink per day decreased insuling levels in women with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25. In short they go on to state that 1-2 drinks per day may help over-weight women with blood sugar control. Although this is a fascinating study in humans with a large number of participants and a relatively good design it is not meant to take the place of advice from your doctor. Be sure to check with your primary care provider before trying to modulate your blood sugar with alcohol if you are currently taking insulin or medication to control diabetes.