title: Effect of alcoholic beverages on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in lean, young, healthy adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethanol's ability to inhibit gluconeogenesis might reduce postprandial glycemia in realistic meal settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to explore the effect of 3 types of alcoholic beverages consumed alone, with a meal, or 1 h before a meal on postprandial glycemia in healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In study 1, isoenergetic (1000 kJ) servings of beer, white wine, and gin were compared with a 1000-kJ portion of white bread. In study 2, the same servings were compared with water as an accompaniment to a bread meal. In study 3, 20-g alcohol portions were served as a premeal drink. Fingertip capillary blood samples were taken at regular intervals over 2-3 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In study 1, the mean (+/-SE) glucose scores for beer (58 +/- 11), wine (7 +/- 3), and gin (10 +/- 5) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those for bread (= 100). In study 2, meals consumed with beer (84 +/- 11; P = 0.03), wine (63 +/- 6; P < 0.001), and gin (80 +/- 12; P = 0.007) produced less glycemia than did the meal consumed with water (= 100). In study 3, all 3 beverages reduced the postprandial glycemic response to the subsequent meal (67 +/- 5, 75 +/- 6, and 78 +/- 4 with the beer, wine, and gin trials, respectively; P < 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In realistic settings, alcoholic beverage consumption lowers postprandial glycemia by 16-37%, which represents an unrecognized mechanism by which alcohol may reduce the risk of chronic disease.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. j.brandmiller@mmb.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Jennie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Brand-Miller
authors.forename: Kaniz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fatema
authors.forename: Kaniz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fatima
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Middlemiss
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bare
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petocz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D007328:Insulin; D000431:Ethanol