Is Red Wine Good for Type 2 Diabetes? Benefits and Risks

Most people with diabetes drink half as much as other adults. Most often, because it’s a bit more complicated to predict how your blood sugar levels will respond to alcohol compared to other drinks and foods with carbohydrates.¹ 

Additionally, certain medications put you at risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), especially when drinking on an empty stomach.¹

However, people with diabetes can drink alcohol, specifically red wine, with some extra planning to ensure their blood sugar levels stay within a target range. Research indicates that a daily drink may improve some people's blood sugar and insulin levels.^{1, 2}

In this article, you’ll learn about red wine's impact on blood sugar and type 2 diabetes, its benefits and risks, and tips for safe alcohol consumption.

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Can People With Diabetes Drink Red Wine? Alcohol and Blood Sugar Link

People with type 2 diabetes must monitor their carbohydrate intake from any source to ensure their blood glucose (or sugar) levels stay within a healthy range. Eating too much or too little carbohydrates can lead to blood glucose levels out of range.³ 

Some alcoholic drinks have more carbohydrates than others, which can raise blood glucose levels, but the liver breakdown of alcohol affects glucose levels more. 

The liver is responsible for stabilizing blood glucose levels and breaking down alcohol. 

Unfortunately, the liver struggles to do both of these functions simultaneously. Usually, the liver prioritizes alcohol breakdown, which can lead to low blood glucose levels, especially on an empty stomach.^{1, 4} 

Too much alcohol intake (more than three drinks daily) can lead to higher blood glucose levels, making it more difficult to manage type 2 diabetes.¹

Finding the sweet spot of not too much alcohol paired with food can help prevent low blood sugar levels, helping you drink alcohol safely with type 2 diabetes. Keep in mind some diabetes medications can put you at risk for low blood sugar levels.¹

Red wine is a lower-carbohydrate alcoholic drink; one drink (or five ounces) contains 3.8 g of carbohydrates. Red wine is a suitable choice for individuals with type 2 diabetes.⁵ 

Monitor blood glucose levels closely before, during, and up to 24 hours after drinking alcohol to ensure your levels are within the target range.¹  

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href=/what-is-a-continuous-glucose-monitor>How Does a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Work?</a></a>.</div>

What Are the Potential Benefits of Red Wine for Type 2 Diabetes?

Consuming moderate red wine may have health benefits, but drinking alcohol with type 2 diabetes is individualized. Seek expert advice from your doctor and registered dietitian to see if alcohol is appropriate for your individual health needs. 

For reference, moderate alcohol consumption equates to one drink daily for women and up to two drinks daily for men. One drink is five ounces of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or one and a half ounces of spirits.¹

Some potential benefits of moderate red wine intake include the following. 

Alcohol May Lower Blood Sugar in People With Diabetes

Many people with type 2 diabetes are seeking to lower their blood sugar levels safely. Research shows that drinking wine with a meal could help nudge those numbers down for people who have difficulty reducing their blood sugar levels.⁶

A randomized, controlled research trial including 109 adults with type 2 diabetes who previously abstained from alcohol were randomized to five ounces of wine or one non-alcoholic beer with dinner.

After three months, the fasting glucose levels in the alcohol group decreased by 22 mg/dL. After-meal glucose levels were unaffected. Fasting blood glucose levels did not change in the control group. 

Additionally, patients with a higher starting A1C level had greater reductions in fasting blood glucose levels when consuming moderate amounts of red wine.⁶‍‍

Moderate Alcohol Intake May Improve Cardiovascular (Heart) Health

Most research linking red wine and improved heart health includes dietary changes alongside moderate red wine intake, like the Mediterranean diet. 

Red wine, olive oil, and other common foods in the Mediterranean diet are high in antioxidants called polyphenols, which improve heart health. 

After one month of moderate red wine intake alongside meals, good cholesterol (HDL) increases.⁷ 

The American Diabetes Association agrees that moderate alcohol intake is associated with less cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease and could benefit from carefully planned red wine consumption.^{1, 8} 

Red Wine Intake May Protect Against the Development of Type 2 Diabetes

A 2022 large review article included over 24 studies on red wine and health conditions. It found that regular red wine drinkers had lower glucose levels and lower rates of type 2 diabetes than those who did not consume alcohol.⁹ 

Red wine lowers insulin levels and markers of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and high insulin levels are associated with type 2 diabetes. 

Research from the review article found that women regularly consuming one glass of red wine had the lowest risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Additionally, a study involving 3,314 people with type 2 diabetes showed those reporting moderate red wine consumption had fewer heart events. Consuming five ounces of red wine daily for two years significantly increased good cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.⁹ 

There are numerous potential health benefits of consuming red wine with type 2 diabetes. Overall, research is not strong enough to recommend red wine intake for all people with type 2 diabetes. Managing type 2 diabetes is multi-faceted and customized. 

Risks of Drinking Red Wine With Type 2 Diabetes

While there are benefits to drinking red wine, there are also risks. Alcohol contains calories in liquid form. These calories can add up, especially without adjusting your other intake or physical activity. Extra calories can contribute to weight gain, making your type 2 diabetes harder to manage and weight loss even more difficult. 

You are at greater risk for hypoglycemic events (low blood sugar) when drinking alcohol. Symptoms of drunkenness and hypoglycemia are similar, making it hard to monitor your diabetes. Symptoms include slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech.¹ 

Additionally, to prevent low blood sugar levels with type 2 diabetes, you may be eating food alongside your red wine. You might become less aware as you drink, and you may consume more alcohol and food than you intended.

Consuming more than three drinks is associated with increased blood sugar levels and poor type 2 diabetes management.^{1, 10}

Other alcoholic drinks such as dessert wine, regular beer, margaritas, sangrias, daiquiris, and pina coladas are much higher in carbohydrates and sugar, raising your blood sugar level.¹ 

It can be challenging to manage blood glucose levels, alcohol, food intake, and medications without a good plan in place. Testing your blood sugar level can help you know how your body responds to alcohol and help you prevent risks.

Red Wine and Diabetes: Consumption Tips

Make sure you have a plan in place when drinking red wine (or any alcohol) with type 2 diabetes. 

Work with your healthcare provider to determine whether red wine suits your medications and health conditions. If your type 2 diabetes isn’t well managed, you shouldn’t drink alcohol. 

Here are some tips for consuming red wine:

• Keep Your Red Wine Intake Moderate (Limit Yourself to Five Ounces): Practice pouring water into a wine glass at home so you can visualize the portion size.
• Choose Red Wine for Its High Polyphenol and Lower Carbohydrate Content: Avoid alcoholic drinks that are high in carbohydrates and sugar.
• Avoid drinking red wine on an empty stomach. 
• Avoid physical activity while drinking alcohol as it can lower blood sugar levels further.
• Pair your red wine with a meal or a snack with protein and carbohydrates like cheese and whole-grain crackers.
• Monitor Your Blood Glucose Levels Before, During, and After Drinking Red Wine to Prevent Low and High Blood Glucose Levels: A Signos continuous glucose monitor can help you manage your blood sugar levels in real-time.
• Set Alarms or Place Reminders for Taking Medications: Discuss with your doctor if there are any interactions between your medications and alcohol. 

Learn More About How to Improve Blood Sugar Health With Signos’ Expert Advice

Weigh the benefits and risks of consuming red wine with type 2 diabetes. Then, if your blood sugars are well managed and your healthcare provider agrees, develop a plan for consuming red wine safely. 

A Signos continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help you monitor blood sugar levels while drinking red wine, improve your health, and encourage you to adopt healthier eating habits. 

Learn more about nutrition and healthy habits on Signos’ blog, which is written by nutrition and health experts. Take a quick quiz to determine if Signos fits your needs.

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href=low-carb-cocktails>The Best 12 Low-Carb Cocktails for a Healthy Night Out</a>.</div>