Alcohol Consumption Tied to Risk of Diabetes

Alcohol consumption and binge drinking may increase the risk of developing diabetes, while moderate alcohol intake may reduce the risk of diabetes, according to a recent study. The study included approximately 2,000 men and 3,000 women who did not have diabetes at the start of the study. Some of the study participants were participants in a diabetes prevention program and some subjects had a reported family history of diabetes. After eight to 10 years, the researchers reported an association between total alcohol consumption and binge drinking and a higher risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes in men. Low consumption of alcohol in women appeared to decrease the risk of diabetes. Although the sample of subjects chosen for the study included a small number of those with a family history of diabetes and participants in a diabetes prevention program, the authors of the study felt that the associations between high alcohol consumption and higher risk of diabetes and moderate consumption of alcohol and lowered risk of diabetes was statistically significant.