Last Updated on July 20, 2021 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Well, it has been stated by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) that moderate consumption of wine by diabetics is safe. Furthermore, it has been studied and confirmed that a limited intake of wine is healthy and can even benefit diabetes patients.
Some recent studies have proven that a glass of wine every day can also help in lowering blood sugar levels. It can induce diabetic control and help with keeping the body’s blood glucose levels steady.
It is advised to pair your alcohol consumption with healthy eating. This is because alcohol has the quality to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, to maintain normal levels and avoid any hypoglycemic episodes, diabetic patients must pair drinking alcohol with food.
There are many different kinds of wine available, and all vary in composition and have varying effects on the body. We will talk about some best options that you as a diabetic can choose from without worrying.
Limited amounts of wine consumption do not affect diabetic health, and the blood sugar levels also remain under regular margins. Among the many other wine options, red wine is said to be healthier for the body and has benefits as well.
If you are an over-drinker, it is best to bring the levels lower when it comes to alcohol. This induces better overall health and reduces the risks of any sudden harm or health risks. However, there isn’t much opposition against maintaining a moderate quantity intake.
Wine is also said to be good for the heart when taken in moderate quantities. Therefore, diabetic patients can also benefit from this as they are also susceptible to heart issues.
Moreover, it is beneficial to seek your doctor’s advice before conforming to any amounts or types of wine to your diet.
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9 Best Wines for Diabetics
1. Merlot
Merlot comes on the top of the most popular red wines list. It is a favorite of many and is equally appreciated for its taste as well as health benefits.
Merlot is high in resveratrol and procyanidin. These are essential elements that control cholesterol and protect the heart from various diseases. This helps to preserve health and reduce the severity of diabetes as higher and fluctuating blood sugar levels also affect the heart.
Moreover, merlot is also known for its anti-inflammatory benefits like easing joint-related pains. It also helps with keeping age-related disorders at bay, such as cognitive functioning issues.
In addition to this, it is also helpful in minimizing the harmful effect and growth of cancer cells in the body.
2. Pinot noir
This red wine is the top on the list. Health-wise, there is no competition to the pinot noir wine.
This is red wine backs the top spot because the grape variety that it is extracted from has the highest levels of resveratrol present in it. As a result, it aids in better overall cardiovascular health and decreases the risks of developing bad cholesterol in the body and high blood pressure.
The production process behind pinot noir is also one to praise. It is commendable as it makes this wine better for diabetic patients and also helps in lowering blood sugar levels.
3. Cabernet Sauvignon
This is another one of the famous and recommended dry red wines (dry red wines have lesser sugar than other varieties of red wine). It has similar properties of keeping your heart safe and healthy.
Apart from these common benefits, the Cabernet Sauvignon also helps produce a particular protein that is important for cell development in the body. The flavonoid composition behind this red wine type is the one to praise.
Hence, this red wine is also a good and safe choice for you to cherish within limits.
4. Sagrantino
The composition of this unique Italian red wine is one of the top prioritized ones. With the benefit of high antioxidants, the Sagrantino red wine tops the charts with its health elements.
It can be great for the heart and keep the body’s immunity proper among diabetic patients.
This wine is also a flavorful one with hints of other fruit and cocoa essences that make a great serving.
5. Malbec
The grapes used to derive the Malbec red wine are loaded with some of the thickest skins. This means that the wine contains overall more resveratrol than some other varieties.
This makes it a top choice for keeping the supply of antioxidants in full swing to assist your immunity levels. It is quite rewarding to the heart as well.
6. Laurent
This is another one on the list that has a high resveratrol content that makes it fit for the heart and reduces bad cholesterol levels in the body. Such effects keep away heart diseases and reduce health risks.
Researches have confirmed the moderate consumption of such red wines and their relation to combating cardiovascular issues.
7. Nebbiolo
This red wine has more than just the resveratrol goodness. It is also filled with high quantities of procyanidin, a polyphenol.
Apart from serving heart health, it is also a good wine to have before bed. This is because of the presence of melatonin that helps you to sleep better at night.
8. Barbera
Barbera is also a popular wine type appreciated for its rich taste of fruit mixed with dried herbs and licorice.
The high amounts of resveratrol in Barbera red wines are also another reason it is an excellent recommendation for diabetics and has been gaining popularity for the last two decades.
9. Shiraz
This is one of the famous ones among red wines. These wines are some of the lowest in sugar and have plenty of health benefits.
It keeps the heart healthy, maintains blood sugar levels, reduces the risks of developing cancer, fights inflammation, keeps away bad cholesterol, and so on.
These are some of the healthiest choices of red wine that you can opt from.
What is the healthiest Red Wine to drink?
Growing studies are supporting the evidence that the consumption of red wine is good for the diabetic body. But it is to be understood that all studies support limited drinking.
These reports are also supported by the additional research that states the presence of resveratrol in red wine. This is attained from the skin of grapes and is said to be beneficial in keeping the heart healthy. It prevents risks of cardiovascular ailments.
Resveratrol has also been studied to reduce blood sugar levels when taken in moderated amounts. In addition, it has been proven to be a therapeutic element in treating people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
On top of that, red wine is also filled with antioxidants. These are very advantageous to the overall health, and especially for diabetics.
Red wines are far better than white wines. However, white wines have comparatively more sugar and calories and are hence, not so recommended for people with diabetes.
But the drinking must be done responsibly. This is very important to reap the good sides. We will discuss the recommended safe amounts as we move further.
There are many varieties of red wine to choose from. We have listed down some of the best options for diabetics:
Is it okay to drink red wine every night?
As we have mentioned all along in today’s discussion, wine, however healthy, must be consumed in moderation. The same goes for red wine.
You can have red wine every night as long as it is within the same limit. A safe limit for diabetic patients is one glass serving only. This accounts for quantities below 300ml.
Non-diabetics can either follow the same limit or go up to 2 glasses of red wine per day maximum.
You must be sure to follow these limits to maintain health and avoid any risks.
Which red wine has the least sugar?
Dry red wine varieties are the ones with the lowest sugar. These red wines carry lower than 1 gram of sugar per 5 ounces. This is a very low level and is deemed safe for diabetics.
Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, some of the wines mentioned above fall under these low-sugar wines. Other types, such as – Shiraz, Brut, Chardonnay, Viognier, are also having low amounts of sugar.
Which brands of wine have no added sugar?
Wines like Pinot noir and FiTVine have no added sugar and the total sugar content is less than a gram.
Wines require sugar for fermentation, but the longer the wine is fermented, the lower its sugar level.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026049507003277
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1185/030079903125002324
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1745-4514.2007.00165.x
- https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/63/1/31.short
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2010/568184/
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shashank-Joshi-8/publication/7263232_Metformin_Old_wine_in_new_bottle_-_Evolving_technology_and_therapy_in_diabetes/links/0f317538701906b7ab000000/Metformin-Old-wine-in-new-bottle-Evolving-technology-and-therapy-in-diabetes.pdf
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/11/2833
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-018-0091-4
- https://academic.oup.com/ajh/article/29/4/476/2622362?login=true
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6571378/
