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 mea l on glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND MET HODS- Alcohol (1 g/kg, an aperitif before, wine during, and a drink af ter a meal) or an equal amount of mineral water was given during a din ner. Blood glucose and insulin concentrations were measured before, du ring, and after the meal until the next morning. This study was conduc ted 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 dru gs. In each subject, we examined hypoglycemic episodes or differences in blood glucose or serum insulin concentrations between alcohol and t he control study. RESULTS- In type I diabetic patients, blood glucose and insulin concentrations were virtually identical in both studies. I n type II diabetic patients, alcohol slightly enhanced the meal-induce d insulin secretion resulting in lower blood glucose concentrations ne xt morning. No hypoglycemic glucose concentrations were observed in ei ther group after alcohol ingestion. CONCLUSIONS - Moderate alcohol int ake with a meal does not lead to hypo- or hyperglycemia in diabetic pa tients.