Health boost: Drinking a glass of red wine with dinner may improve the heart health of people with type 2 diabetes

Drinking a glass of red wine with dinner may improve the heart health of people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers tested 224 patients, aged 45-74, who were usually teetotal. They were randomly assigned 150ml of mineral water, white wine or red wine to drink with their evening meal over a period of two years.

The scientists, from Ben-Gurion University in Israel, found moderate consumption of red wine led to healthier fat levels in the blood, including more ‘good’ cholesterol than ‘bad’.

Some participants in the study – published in the Annals of Internal Medicine – whose bodies processed alcohol slowly – achieved better blood sugar control from drinking red wine.

But the same benefits were not seen with white wine, suggesting it is the compounds in red wine grapes, rather than alcohol, that are key.

These include phenols - which red wine has in quantities seven times higher than white wine - and resveratrol, a natural compound that exists in red grape skin.

Lead scientist Professor Iris Shai, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, said: ‘The differences found between red and white wine were opposed to our original hypothesis that the beneficial effects of wine are mediated predominantly by the alcohol.’

The authors, who included scientists from Harvard School of Public Health, urged caution, however, warning that the benefits of drinking wine should be weighed against potential risks when translated into clinical practice.

The researchers, whose work was published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, also found that those who drank wine - whether white or red - slept better than those who drank water.

Choose wisely: The same benefits were not seen with white wine, suggesting it is the compounds in red wine grapes, rather than alcohol, that are key

They wrote: ‘We saw no significant wine-related adverse events, symptoms or changes in quality of life, except that reported sleep quality was significantly improved in both wine groups compared with water.’

British experts, however, warned that the evidence leaves a lot to be desired.

Dr Alasdair Rankin, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: ‘The evidence that red wine can help improve management of diabetes is extremely weak.

‘A lot of us already drink more alcohol than is good for us, so most people with Type 2 diabetes should in fact be actively trying to reduce their alcohol intake, not increase it.