Experiment Question

What should be consumed first? Wine or Walnut?

Experiment Answer

Walnut!

Walnuts are a great source protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which are abundant in antioxidants along with good fats. Add some soaked walnuts to your routine and have them empty stomach for best results. Hence, protein before wine should be preferred more than only wine to prevent the increased spike in the blood glucose levels in the body.

Scientific Rationale

Wine

Drinking wine can lead to severe complications in people having diabetes. Wine is a low sugar drink, and some wines are also there with no added sugar in them. Regularly drinking wine will give more calories to the body, which will lead to complications in diabetic people. Red wine alone contains about 128 calories since it is made from fermented grapes. 

• Total Calories : 125 calories (All from Carbs)
• Carbohydrates : 3.8 g
• Proteins : 0.1 g
• Fats : 0 g
• Sugars : 0.9 g
• Fibres : 0 g
• Sodium : 5.9 mg

Wine is a slow poison if consumed regularly. Though the sugar content is very low in wines, it provides high calories. Drinking wine every day will give zero nutritional benefits to the human body and lead to weight gain. Weight gain is the main cause for metabolic disturbances. The liver releases glucose to regulate blood glucose levels in the body. But wine makes the liver break the alcohol for the first 1-1.5 hours, and thus the liver becomes less effective at releasing glucose. This disturbs the normal blood glucose level.

Walnuts

Walnuts are a rich source of protein and proteins are considered to lower the blood glucose levels in the body by stimulating certain hormones. Usually, proteins are also a source of calories, but in many cases, calories are contributed by either carbohydrates or fats. It is estimated that 1 gm of protein provides only 4 calories to the body. Apart from Walnut, some other protein-rich foods are Eggs, Chicken, Yoghurt, Pulses.

• Calories: 654  (Not all derived from Carbs)
• Water: 4%
• Protein: 4.3 g
• Carbs: 3.9 g
• Sugar: 0.7 g
• Fiber: 1.9 g
• Fat: 18.5 g

Walnuts Before Wine

One should consume protein-rich foods before drinking alcohol to help empty the stomach and delay the process of alcohol absorption. The protein is a macronutrient and can help us feel fuller for longer periods. Feeling full will reduce the intake of alcohol and is the best way to stop using alcohol after a proteinaceous meal. Protein is slowly digested by our body, thus minimizing the effects of alcohol on our body. This prevents gaining weight and other diabetic complications. Since protein contains 0 GI value, it does not contribute to the rise of glucose levels in the blood and is recommended. Also read about grapes good for diabetes.

Bottomline

Wine should not be taken regularly; rather, it should be consumed occasionally with a proper healthful diet. Though the GI value of the wine is 0 due to the high amount of calories it provides to the body, it should be avoided the most. High calories lead to weight gain and result in poor metabolic health. Taking protein-rich food before the wine will allow very slow metabolism of alcohol in the body, and thus alcohol in the wine will be excreted out of our body instead of getting absorbed.

FAQs

Do Protein-rich foods have high GI?

Foods with high protein content have a lower GI or no GI value.

Does Protein affect blood glucose?

Proteins do not have any significant impact on the blood glucose levels in the body.

Give some examples of Protein-rich foods?

Protein-rich foods are eggs, fish, lentils, dairy foods, grains, nuts etc.