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Red wine, tea help regulate blood sugar in type 2 diabetics 4-7-08
-- Red wine and tea may help regulate the blood sugar in patients with
type 2 diabetes, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University
of Massachusetts Amherst and published in the journal of Food Biochemistry.
"Red wine and tea contain natural antioxidants that may slow the passage of
glucose through the small intestine and eventually into the bloodstream and
prevent this spike, which is an important step in managing this disease." said
Kalidas Shetty, co-author of the study.
Getting blood sugar under control is one important goal in diabetes management
to reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure,
and other damages to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.
In the study, the researchers found red wine inhibited 100% an enzyme called
alpha-glucosidase responsible for triggering the absorption of glucose by the
small intestine. In comparison, white wine inhibited the enzyme by 20%.
Alpha-glucosidase is a target for current drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Shetty and team attributed the effect to polyphenolics in red wine. "Our testing
showed that red wine contains roughly ten times more polyphenolics than white
wine," said Shetty.
"Laboratory results suggest that these compounds, found in many plant-based
foods, may play a role in inhibiting alpha-glucosidase and slowing the passage
of carbohydrates into the bloodstream."
The researchers also tested four teas including black, oolong, white and green
tea. Water extracts of black tea was found most effective in inhibiting the
activity of alpha-glucosidase, followed by white tea and oolong tea.
Wine and tea had no effect on a pancreatic enzyme known as alpha-amylase that
breaks down starch and patients can avoid side effects of medication used to
control blood sugar.
The side effects of medications that control both enzymes include the bacterial
fermentation of undigested carbohydrates causing flatulence, bloating and
diarrhea, Shetty said.
Wine and tea would not cause these side effects.
Another benefit of wine and tea, the researchers said, is that polyphenolics in
wine and tea protect against additional complications of diabetes such as high
blood pressure and heart disease. The natural antioxidants in wine and tea can
neutralize free radicals, which are known risk factors for heart disease, high
blood pressure and even cancer.
"These results provide strong evidence for further studying the use of wine and
tea to manage some stages of type 2 diabetes using animal models and clinical
studies, and point to the importance of an antioxidant-rich diet as part of an
overall management strategy," said Shetty.