Moderate wine consumption as part of a Mediterranean diet: No risk for weight gain or abdominal adiposity

In the present 2-year randomized controlled CASCADEThe CASCADE study (CArdiovaSCulAr D trial in type 2 diabetics, moderate red wine consumption, combined with a Mediterranean diet, did not deteriorate the proportion of abdominal adipose fat or increased the risk of weight gain.

Visceral fat is actually excess intra-abdominal fat accumulation. So in other words, it is a “deep fat” that is stored even further underneath the skin than subcutaneous fat. It differs anatomically and functionally from the peripheral (lower body) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).  It is a fat that is wrapped around major organs (stomach, liver, intestines, kidneys, etc.).  While it is very noticeable in obese individuals, anyone can have visceral fat, many without even knowing it. Visceral fat is especially dangerous because these fat cells can change the way the body operates.

The accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been strongly associated with cardiometabolic risks. Typically, patients with type 2 diabetes have more VAT and less SAT than individuals without type 2 diabetes, which corresponds to their increased risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). As wine contains calories, its consumption is often considered a risk factor for weight gain, which could increase diabetes risk.

To generate evidence-based conclusions about the effect of moderate wine consumption on weight gain and abdominal fat accumulation and distribution in patients with type 2 diabetes, a 2-year randomized controlled trial (CASCADEThe CASCADE study (CArdiovaSCulAr D for CArdiovaSCulAr Diabetes & Ethanol) was carried out at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.

All participants followed a Mediterranean diet and were randomly assigned to drink 150 ml of mineral water, white wine or red wine with dinner for 2 years. Visceral adiposity and abdominal fat distribution were measured in a subgroup of sixty-five participants, using abdominal MRI. Since there are significant differences in the content of polyphenols in red and white wines, and because only eight participants from the white wine group of the CASCADEThe CASCADE study (CArdiovaSCulAr D study underwent an MRI, the scientists excluded these participants from their analysis. The final analysis therefore included two intervention groups, red wine (n=27) and mineral water (n=21).

The results showed similar weight losses: between the red wine group (-1.3 kg) and the water group (-1.0 kg), no significant difference in weight loss was observed. Also the changes in abdominal adipose-tissue distribution were similar in the red wine group and the water group. No changes in antidiabetic medication and no substantial changes in energy were recorded.

The researchers concluded that moderate wine consumption – as part of a Mediterranean diet –  in individuals with controlled diabetes, did not promote weight gain or abdominal adiposity.

Golan R, Shelef I, Shemesh E, et al. Effects of initiating moderate wine intake on abdominal adipose tissue in adults with type 2 diabetes: a 2-year randomized controlled trial. Public Health Nutr. 2016 Oct 3:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.