Swee2ooth National Wine Day Type 2 Sip Tip: Go With Red Wine!
Swee2ooth prides itself in embracing a joy filled lifestyle and with Memorial Day weekend bringing many to the BBQ and the Summer season, many Type 2's are faced with the question of what adult beverage is OK to drink? Though you’re not likely to find any blanket, one-size-fits-all answers to your burning question, since not all people (Type 2s or otherwise) metabolize alcohol the same way – we now know red wine is the best option going!
That said, as a Type 2 you can probably get away with drinking – provided you choose the right beverage and do it in moderation. In red wine Diabetics will find attributes that more and more studies show to have a positive impact on blood sugars and overall health.
Type 2 Wine
One indisputable truth is that high-calorie, sugary drinks like margaritas, daiquiris, and malt liquors (ie, Mike’s Hard Lemonade) are NOT okay for Type 2s. The blood sugar spike these cocktails cause simply isn’t worth any enjoyment they may provide.
As beverage choices go, your best bet is probably red wine. Packed with antioxidants like resveratrol and quercetin, red wine has been shown in various populations to lower heart disease risk, lower blood pressure, and even improve cognitive function.
Type 2 Diabetes and Benefits of Red Wine
Type 2s, in particular, can benefit from drinking red wine. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine split 200+ Type 2s into two different groups: one group consumed a glass (5 ounces) of red wine every evening with dinner for two years, and the other group drank only water over the same period of time.
The researchers found that the wine drinkers had more improved blood lipid levels than the water drinkers. Also, the “slow alcohol metabolizers” in the wine group fared better in glucose control tests than “fast alcohol metabolizers.” Blood pressure and liver function were consistent between both wine and water groups.
Not a fan of red wine? If you’re Type 2 or Pre Type 2 and you’re a beer drinker, choose a low-calorie beer – something under 100 calories, like Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, or Coors Light.
As for moderation, the American Diabetes Association recommends men consume no more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day, and women no more than 1 drink daily. (The ADA offers other helpful guidelines and tips for imbibing in this article: Alcohol – Tips to Sip By.)
Cheers to relaxing and sharing a glass or two of red wine with family and friends this Holiday! You Deserve It!!
