![\"Diabetes](\"https:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Red-Wine-415906828.jpg\")
By now you\u2019re probably sick of being told to eat green vegetables and drink green juices to manage your type-2 diabetes.<\/p>\nBy now you\u2019re probably sick of being told to eat green vegetables and drink green juices to manage your type-2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
Luckily, there is a genuinely pleasant and sweet drink that both lowers cholesterol and manages blood sugar levels for people with type-2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine<\/em> recruited volunteers who had previously almost completely abstained from alcohol and who had their type-2 diabetes under control.<\/p>\n They were split into three groups:<\/p>\n \u2013 One group was told to drink a glass of water with supper.<\/p>\n \u2013 The second group was asked to drink a glass of white wine.<\/p>\n \u2013 The third group had to drink a glass of red wine.<\/p>\n After six months and again after two years, this group had their blood tested for cholesterol and blood sugar; they were also asked to complete a questionnaire about their diet, lifestyle, and other factors.<\/p>\n The results are fascinating:<\/p>\n \u2013 The water drinkers reaped no benefit.<\/p>\n \u2013 The white wine drinkers, particularly those who metabolized alcohol quickly, enjoyed a slight improvement in their blood sugar control.<\/p>\n \u2013 The red wine drinkers experienced a moderate increase in good cholesterol and in blood sugar control.<\/p>\n Now, here are the conditions or stipulations:<\/p>\n First, while they did not specify or limit the number of calories their subjects could consume per day, all of them were eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and unrefined vegetable oils. In other words, since all of the subjects were on a healthy diet, the study cannot be generalized to people eating a standard North American diet or any other unhealthy diet.<\/p>\n Second, only one five-ounce glass of red wine per day was allowed.<\/p>\n Third, those whose genetic tests showed that they metabolized alcohol quickly benefited substantially more than those who metabolized alcohol slowly. Only a genetic test can tell you this.<\/p>\n The researchers explain that both ethanol (alcohol) and the polyphenols in red grapes contribute to glucose control, which is why both wines helped but red wine had a greater effect.<\/p>\n