Drinking wine in moderation may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and even yield some cardiovascular benefits in people with T2D, suggests a study.
However, researchers maintain that vulnerable individuals “should abstain and [those] who currently do not drink alcohol should not start drinking.”
“If wine is consumed, intake should always remain moderate (as low as possible), within healthy meals and only after individual clinical assessment,” they added.
The research team conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. They identified studies that explored the association between wine consumption and T2D.
Twenty-eight studies met the eligibility criteria. Pooled results showed that moderate wine consumption could reduce the risk of T2D development, with a J-shaped relationship. The reduced risk was observed at low levels of intake. [Nutrients 2026;doi:10.3390/nu18122006]
The beneficial effect seen was more noticeable with red wine, which has a high polyphenol content, and when wine was consumed with meals.
For patients with T2D, moderate wine consumption appeared to lower the risk of cardiovascular complications, neuropathy, and even death. Wine consumption also showed improvements in lipid profiles and reductions in inflammatory markers, without negative consequences on body weight or glycaemic control in well-managed patients.
Furthermore, a Mediterranean dietary pattern may improve the effects of moderate wine intake, indicating synergistic actions, according to the researchers.
“However, alcohol intake may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia, particularly in patients receiving glucose-lowering therapies,” they said. “It should be avoided by vulnerable individuals, and those with comorbidities such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and other significant liver diseases, peripheral neuropathy, or other severe conditions.”
Moderate intake
Previous studies have also shown a dose-dependent relationship between alcohol consumption and T2D risk, usually characterized by a J-shaped curve. The lowest T2D risk was observed at moderate levels of wine consumption. [J Diabetes Investig 2017;8:56-68]
Some studies estimate risk reduction at 18 percent to 20 percent, but this rate varies depending on the type of alcoholic beverage consumed. Moderate intake of wine or beer (20‒30 g/day) has been shown to lower T2D risk by around 20 percent, while spirits (7‒15 g/day) yield a smaller benefit of about 5 percent. [Sci Rep 2025;15:630]
Other studies even suggest that the frequency of alcohol consumption is important, with regular low consumption being more favourable than the same amount over a few days. [Diabetes Care 2025;48:1189-1197]
“The potentially greater association with favourable effects of wine as compared to other alcoholic beverages is likely attributable to its high polyphenol content,” the researchers said. “Resveratrol has demonstrated beneficial metabolomic effects in experimental models, including improved glycaemic control via activation of sirtuins.” [Nat Med 2015;21:498-505]
Furthermore, polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that help prevent oxidative stress associated with dietary and environmental toxins. [J Nutr Biochem 2013;24:960-966; J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011;96:1409-1414]