Research conducted by the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and Environment and Dutch medical and scientific centers found that adults who consume alcohol in moderation had a significantly reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not drink at all.
This is a observational study based on self-reported data, not a controlled trial, so we cannot make a cause-and-effect statement about these results, says ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross. Still, the study was based on 35,000 people over 10 years, and they found the risk of Type 2 diabetes decreased by 42 percent among those that drank moderately. It s a very interesting and counterintuitive study, and it warrants confirmation with further, controlled studies.
People should keep in mind that excessive alcohol consumption has many negative health effects, says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. However, alcohol in moderation is associated with a growing list of health benefits, and this may be yet another one.