Alcohol with a meal has no adverse effects on postprandial glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of moderate alcohol intake with a meal on glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Alcohol (1 g/kg, an aperitif before, wine during, and a drink after a meal) or an equal amount of mineral water was given during a dinner. Blood glucose and insulin concentrations were measured before, during, and after the meal until the next morning. This study was conducted at the Helsinki University Hospital Metabolic Ward and the Finnish Diabetes Association Education Center. The participants in the study included 10 type I diabetic patients treated with insulin and 16 type II diabetic patients treated with diet alone or with diet and oral drugs. In each subject, we examined hypoglycemic episodes or differences in blood glucose or serum insulin concentrations between alcohol and the control study.

RESULTS

In type I diabetic patients, blood glucose and insulin concentrations were virtually identical in both studies. In type II diabetic patients, alcohol slightly enhanced the meal-induced insulin secretion resulting in lower blood glucose concentrations next morning. No hypoglycemic glucose concentrations were observed in either group after alcohol ingestion.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate alcohol intake with a meal does not lead to hypo- or hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.