(26-02-11) A glass of wine a day helps prevent diabetes

by David Gutierrez, staff writer

(NaturalNews) A single glass of red wine may be as effective at controlling
blood sugar as standard diabetes drugs, according to a study conducted by
researchers from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
in Vienna, Austria.

Previous research has shown that red wine, grape skins and red grape juice are
high in plant chemicals called polyphenols. These antioxidants have been shown
to help the body regulate blood sugar, and may thereby help prevent or control
diabetes. In the current study, researchers studied the action of grape
polyphenols on a cell receptor called PPAR-gamma, which plays an important role
in blood sugar regulation, energy storage and fat storage. They found that even
a small glass of wine has enough polyphenols to activate the receptor at least
as effectively as the diabetes drug Avandia.

The researchers also compared the polyphenol content of 12 different wines,
confirming the popular wisdom that concentrations are higher in red wine.

"This is further scientific evidence that a small amount of wine really is
beneficial for health," researcher Alois Jungbauer said.

He cautioned, however, that wine can be high in calories and that moderate
consumption is key.

"Moderate is the equivalent of a small glass each day for women, and two for
men," he said. "Our big problem is to convey the message of a healthy lifestyle
because too much wine will cause diabetes and obesity."

"If you have wine then you must reduce your intake of calories from food by
the same amount."

Moderate wine consumption is a characteristic of the Mediterranean Diet, which
has been shown to improve lifespan and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

"The traditional Mediterranean diet has shown tremendous benefit in fighting
heart disease and cancer, as well as diabetes," write Michael Murray and Joseph
Pizzorno in The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods.

"It has the following characteristics: Olive oil is the principal source of
fat. The diet centers on an abundance of plant food, including fruit,
vegetables, breads, pasta, potatoes, beans, nuts, and seeds. Foods are
minimally processed, and there is a focus on seasonally fresh and locally grown
foods."

Sources for this story include: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a....

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