The aim in the present study was to assess the effect of small-moderate red wine ingestion on serum insulin and plasma glucose concentration when nutritional status is varied. Twenty non-diabetic males (19-22 years) participated in the study. In the fasting trial all participants underwent a six hour fast prior to consuming 4 standard units of red wine (40g alcohol) or the equivalent amount of placebo as dealcoholised wine (containing < .5% alcohol, 0% resveratrol) over a 135-min period. Alternatively, in the feeding trial participants consumed food for 45-min prior to ingesting 4 standard units of red wine (40g alcohol) or placebo for 135-min. Serum insulin and plasma glucose was assessed at regular 45-min intervals during both trials. The results showed a significant decrease in the level of serum insulin and no significant change in plasma glucose concentration in the fasting trial. Alternatively, a significant alcohol-induced decrease in plasma glucose and no change in serum insulin occurred when red wine is consumed alone after food. It was concluded that red wine can alter the glucose-insulin relationship and ingesting red wine alone without food should not be encouraged in non-diabetic individuals
