It's a bit obscure. See if this Reuters article, which
appears to have access to the full report, sheds any light
on it:

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL15805420070621

"The team first tested the effect of drinking beer, white
wine, or gin compared to eating the equivalent amount of
calories in carbohydrate. Each of the alcoholic beverages
produced a smaller rise in blood sugar than the bread, while
insulin response to the drinks was also lower than to the
bread, according to the report.

In the next experiment, the researcher found that blood
sugar rose less when any of the alcoholic beverages were
consumed with the bread compared to eating bread with water.
Wine had the strongest effect, while the effect of beer was
the weakest.

In a third situation, when study participants drank before a
meal -- specifically, the equivalent of about two drinks of
beer, wine or gin an hour before eating a meal of instant
mashed potatoes -- the post-meal blood glucose increase also
was lower than when they drank water."

"also was lower" doesn't really clarify it for me.

I'll continue to have a glass or two of red with and after
the meal. That's total, not cumulative, but it adds to the
glass with lunch:-)


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia

Hi Nicky,
if you look at the data than that is exacly what happens .The effect is also
significant , judged from the graphs they give.Strangely enough the authors
do not comment on the effect in their conclusion.They do state :

"By themselves, the alcoholic beverages produced much less glycemia than did
an isoenergetic portion of a starchy food. The physiologic basis of these
findings is likely to be ethanol's ability to acutely inhibit
gluconeogenesis and hepatic glucose output (12). Reducing postprandial
hyperglycemia may therefore be an additional mechanism, hitherto
unrecognized, through which moderate alcohol consumption may improve glucose
homeostasis and consequently lower the risk of chronic disease."

So for them the effect seems more "acute" ??

hth
Gys

Seems to suggest that the alcohol means the "fit, lean, healthy young
Adults" were not getting the full nutritional value of what they were
eating. If the alcohol reduced the glucose available to them would that mean
they would get hungrier sooner and have to make up the 16% deficiency in
energy caused by the alcohol ?

I tend to have a moderate drink, or two about an hour before  dinner,
and also during dinner. Frequently, it is one or two dry gin martinis
before dinner, and a glass of nice dry red wine with dinner,
preferably an Australian Shiraz, or a French Cabernet....

By embracing such a pleasant regimen, engaging in moderate exercise,
and keeping my weight down with a low carb diet and calorie and
portion control... I have even been able to go off the metformin and
still wake up on most days to a BG of less than 100... Today, even
though I am still sick, it was 97. Of course, with antibiotics, I
avoided the spirits last night.

I have noticed, however,  that illness makes my blood glucose more
difficult to control for some reason....

Will, T2

Hi Nicky:

This article gives some clues. The full article is available with this link.

Effect of ‘pre-dinner drinks’ on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia
in lean young adults -
http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/APJCN/ProcNutSoc/2000+/2005/114.pdf

"The study suggests that ‘pre-dinner’ drinks lower the glycaemic
response to a meal by increasing insulin secretion and/or insulin
sensitivity. Reducing glucose ‘spikes’ and overall postprandial glycemia
may be one mechanism by which alcohol consumption reduces risk of type 2
diabetes and cardiovascular disease."

Obviously this conclusion would not be valid for a type 1 DM.

Frank

The French Paradox is only "parodoxical" to someone who has little
experience of French life. I lived there for several years and see no paradox.

The issue is that those who regard it as a paradox assume that the French
eat things that are considered negative in the same quantities that
Americans etc., do.  They don't, they exercise self control, small
portions,  small packaging and serving sizes etc., and they get more
exercise. Any other western nation could also do this but don't. The French
aren't fat, lazy over indulgent pigs, and they regard treats as special,
not as daily sustenance the way other countries do.

There is no paradox. French women are slim and attractive, French children
are well behaved and grow up into adults who have self discipline. It isn't
their diet, it is their attitudes to life. Go back a hundred years or so
and most of the current west had the same thing. New age BS thinking
destroyed it, except for the French.

The biggest difference that I see is the French have set mealtimes, healthy
servings sizes, and don't tend to snack between meals like Americans.

Certainly red wince is healthy, but just like in other countries, many
French prefer sugar laden white or sparkling wines.

Eskimo Joe

The best wedding I ever went to was a lesbian
wedding, conducted by a voodoo priestess.
An Elvis impersonator presided over the
entertainment.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Of course, the wine
may have had a bit to do with that too, not just with
Bg's:-)


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia