One natural approach to raising helpful HDL cholesterol is to drink a glass of red wine with dinner. Health care providers have been reluctant to recommend this approach, however, for fear of encouraging excessive consumption. They have also worried about the potential negative effects of alcohol consumption on health, especially for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Wine at Dinner for People with Diabetes:
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that people with type 2 diabetes can safely enjoy 5 ounces of wine (one glass) at dinner. The study randomly assigned 224 participants who did not drink prior to volunteering for this study to drink a glass of mineral water, white wine or red wine at dinner every evening for two years.
The volunteers also consumed a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. The results showed that those in the red wine group ended the study with higher HDL and a better ratio of total cholesterol.
They were also less likely to have high blood pressure or big bellies, components of a metabolic syndrome that signals a high risk of heart disease. There was no benefit for blood sugar, however, and many experts worry that people with diabetes could disrupt their blood sugar control if they drink wine.
Red or White Wine?
An earlier study assigned 146 participants to drink either pinot noir (red wine) or chardonnay-pinot (white wine) for a year. The researchers found that volunteers who worked out at least twice a week and drank the wine they were assigned finished the study with better cholesterol levels than when they started.
It did not matter whether they were in the red wine or white wine group. Presumably the exercise reinforces the benefits of moderate wine consumption. It is, of course, important not to overindulge in wine.
