Diabetes and Wine

Scientists have found that resveratrol, a chemical commonly found in red wine, has the ability to lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, resveratrol was activates the SIRT1 enzyme – known for increasing longevity, DNA repair, and insulin secretion. These findings nurture a hope for diabetes-afflicted people, by confirming that in the near future wine might play a significant role in fighting diabetes, which currently is supposed to be engulfing around 170 million people worldwide.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough, or properly respond to, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin enables cells to absorb glucose in order to turn it into energy. In diabetes, the body either fails to properly respond to its own insulin, does not make enough insulin, or both. This causes glucose to accumulate in the blood, often leading to various complications There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes - usually non insulin-dependent diabetes.

There are currently 2.3 million people with diabetes in the UK. However, it's estimated that more than half a million people have the condition but are unaware of it. The last 30 years has seen a threefold increase in the number of cases of childhood diabetes. This is especially worrying in respect of the rising numbers of children and teenagers with type 2 diabetes.


If you suffer from diabetes increasing the fibre in your diet should help. Fibre includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables. The amount of calories from fat in your diet should be no higher than 30%, of which no higher than 10% should be from saturated fat. I have a good recipe which is suitable for a diabetic diet and thought it might be useful for those of you who suffer from it.


French Fish Pie

1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
1 large egg, beaten with
1 tbsp water
½ lb new potatoes, scrubbed, and cut in half
6 shallots
2 carrots, sliced
cooking oil spray, as needed
4 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 large garlic clove, crushed
1 fennel bulb, sliced
1 can no-salt-added tomatoes
1 pinch dried fennel
1 pinch dried thyme
1 ½ lb fish fillets, cut into pieces

Lay pastry dough on a lightly floured board. Cut dough to the shape of pie dish, leaving a 1-inch overhang and put to one side. Cook potatoes in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain and set aside. Cook shallots and carrots in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain and combine with potatoes.

Lightly coat a frying pan with cooking spray. Add the mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms are soft. Add garlic, and fennel; sauté until all liquid is absorbed. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, fennel and thyme. Stir in the potatoes, carrots and shallots. Place half of the mixture in the casserole. Top with fish pieces and remaining mixture. Layer the pastry on top of the pie, pierce to let the steam escape and brush with a beaten egg to glaze. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake the pie for around 20 minutes, until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

I'd choose the Spanish White Brissonet (£3.08) to go with your fish pie – it has the added bonus of being a lower alcohol wine than most at 11.5%. It has flavours of melon and pineapple and is a super wine to drink with fish. Remembering of course whether or not you suffer with diabetes wine or any form of alcohol should be drunk in moderation and never to access.