It’s been demonstrated for over a decade now that Resveratrol has the potential to increase insulin sensitivity in type-2 diabetics, possibly through its action on area of the brain that governs glucose metabolism.  Now comes a study published in the January, 2001 issue of Food and Function that reveals that red wine contains favorable levels of a chemical complex found in drugs used treat type 2 diabetes patients.    The research team tested the chemical composition of two white wines from Austria and 10 reds.  Researchers noted that 100 milliliters of a 2003 Blaufränkisch (an Austrian red high in tannins) contained four times the ligands found in the recommended daily dose of rosiglitazone, a commercially available drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and marketed as Avandia.  Ligands are ions or molecules, containing polyunsaturated fatty acids, that bind to cholesterol and transport it to the liver for excretion.  Maintaining an adequate ligands can reduce the chances of developing metabolic syndrome associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, clots and reduced insulin sensitivity and thus type-2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by the body's inability to use insulin to regulate blood-sugar levels.  Laboratory studies on animals show that red wine may help protect against developing the disease.  However, the molecular modes of action and metabolic pathways involved are not yet fully understood.

It should be noted that not all wines are equally blessed with high ligand levels.  While the Blaufrankisch containes 1.71 grams per liter, a 2004 Zweigelt chimed in with 1.65 grams per liter. A 2005 Zweigelt contained even less, implying that  different vintages for the same wine, as well as differing winemaking techniques, may influence the level of the beneficial compounds.  Not surprisingly, white wines, which are not exposed to grape skins for a prolonged period of time, contain very small ligand levels, below 0.10 grams per liter.