People Who Should Never Drink Wine, According to an Expert
Whether you like to wind down at the end of the night with a glass of pinot grigio or pair your favorite pasta with a cabernet sauvignon, wine is an integral part of many people's regular routine. In fact, according to the Wine Institute, American adults drink an average of 2.95 gallons of wine each year.
However, wine isn't for everyone—and it's not just those who don't like the taste who should pass up that pour. Read on to discover who shouldn't be drinking wine, according to medical experts. And if you want to clean up your diet, check out Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians.
People with diabetes
If you have diabetes, you'd be wise to be careful about your wine intake.
According to Leann Poston, MD, MBA, MEd, of Invigor Medical, wine can have a pronounced effect on blood sugar, especially if they're drinking on an empty stomach.
"People with diabetes should be very careful about when they drink wine," says Poston. "Drinking alcohol in a fasting state can significantly lower blood sugar and lead to severe hypoglycemia," which can lead to a diabetic coma.
And for more foods that could adversely affect your blood sugar, check out the 26 Best and Worst Foods for Diabetics.
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Anyone taking sedatives or painkillers
If you're taking any type of sedative medication or painkiller, drinking wine could be a risky proposition.
"Sedatives and painkillers are depressants, meaning they slow brain activity, and alcohol does the same," Poston says.
In fact, according to a 2014 report published in the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly, alcohol was involved in 18.5 percent of opioid painkiller-related emergency room visits and 22.1 percent of opioid painkiller-related deaths.
People taking disulfiram
Disulfiram, a medication used to treat chronic alcoholism, can have serious side effects if combined with wine.
"If you consume alcohol while on this medication, you can anticipate headaches, vomiting, nausea, weakness, changes in breathing, and heart rate," says Poston.
Individuals with asthma
Surprisingly enough, if you have asthma, a glass or two of wine may make you more susceptible to an asthma attack.
"Asthmatics can have adverse reactions to wine due to sulfite sensitivity," says Chris Airey, MD, medical director at Optimale.
And if you want to breathe easier, These Are the Worst Foods for Your Lungs.
