High glycemic carbs and high glycemic foods increase blood sugar rapidly and may play a role in promoting unwanted weight gain, heart disease, and even cancer. Moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of heart disease and premature death. So what, right? Here is an interesting finding from Down Under, which should not be taken as a green light to abuse alcohol.

Australian scientists found that alcohol might protect against disease by reducing increases in blood sugar following a meal. They measured the effects of beer, white wine and gin on blood sugar responses following consumption of white bread or a liquid meal.

They found that consuming an alcoholic beverage with a meal reduced post-meal blood sugar levels by 16 percent to 37 percent. White wine was most effective, followed by gin and then beer. They concluded that drinking an alcoholic beverage with meals might be an unrecognized means by which alcohol reduces the risk of disease. [sources: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Fitness RX]