Today I thought that I would share a pleasant "lifestyle modification" to all of the non-alcoholic type 2 diabetics out there. 

I just finished a talk on diabetes, and you can just see the dread in the eyes of diabetics contemplating having to implement some of the dietary and exercise changes - its a lot to swallow, so to speak.

So, if you don't have an excessively intimate connection with alcohol, why not have a drink with dinner?

Animal studies show that blood flow to the pancreas increases with alcohol consumption (thus increasing insulin release), and human studies have shown a 16-37% decrease in postprandial (after eating) levels of blood glucose.

Here's to you.  To your health.

Take Charge of Your Health,

Dr. David Miller BSc, ND

References:

1. Huang Z, Sjöholm A. Ethanol acutely stimulates islet blood flow, amplifies insulin secretion, and induces hypoglycemia via nitric oxide and vagally mediated mechanisms. Endocrinology. 2008 Jan;149(1):232-6. Epub 2007 Oct 4.
2. Brand-Miller JC, Fatema K, Middlemiss C, Bare M, Liu V, Atkinson F, Petocz P. Effect of alcoholic beverages on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in lean, young, healthy adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1545-51.