The subject of drinking alcohol and type 2 diabetes is important to many diabetics. About six percent of the U.S. population suffers from the disease. Tens of millions of people around the globe have diabetes. Many more are at risk.
I. About Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a very serious disease. It’s especially harmful to the kidneys, nerves, and eyes. It can lead to problems such as blindness, impotence, loss of limbs, and death. The disease also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Symptoms
The American Diabetes Association reports that common symptoms of diabetes include these.
• Frequent urination.
• Fatigue
• Strong hunger, athough eating enough.
• Blurry vision.
• Strong thirst.
• Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal.
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet.
Some people have symptoms that are so mild that they go unnoticed. If in doubt, see a doctor.
Fortunately, the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages reduces the risk of developing diabetes. The alcohol can be in the form of beer, wine, liquor or distilled spirits. Spirits include whiskey, tequila, rum, vodka, gin, etc.
II. Alcohol and Type 2 Diabetes: Research Summaries
Moderate drinking is beneficial for type 2 diabetes. The evidence is overwhelming.
A. Reviews of Research
Of 26 Studies
This meta-analysis examined the dose-response relationship. That is, the relationship between amount of alcohol consumed and the degree of risk reduction.
The authors analyzed the 26 prospective cohort studies that had the necessary data. Included were 706,716 persons (275,711 men and 431,005 women). There were 31,621 cases of diabetes.
Compared to non-drinkers, those who had an average of about one drink per day had a 17% lower risk. Those who had about two drinks per day had a 26% lower risk of the disease. Those who drank more had an insignificant 2% lower risk than abstainers.
Researchers analyzed subjects separately by possible confounders. These were age, sex, BMI (body mass index), smoking, physical activity, and family history of type 2 diabetes. The results were similar in every case.
Of 20 studies
An analysis of 20 longitudinal cohort studies looked at alcohol and type 2 diabetes risk.
Investigators compared drinkers at different consumption levels to lifetime abstainers. This was to eliminate any possible “sick-quitter” effects.
Lifetime abstainers and heavy drinkers had the greatest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who had an average of two drinks per day had a 40% reduction in risk for the disease. The beneficial effects of drinking alcohol continued for up to three drinks daily for women.
For men, the risk of type 2 diabetes was lowest among those who consumed about one and one-half drinks daily. The benefits continued for up to four drinks per day.2
Of 15 studies
The 15 studies were in the U.S., Japan, Finland, Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. They followed a total of 369,862 men and women for an average of 12 years.
Moderate drinkers were those who drank between about a half a drink to four drinks per day. They were 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than abstainers or heavy drinkers.
The pattern of alcohol consumption made a difference. It was much better to drink often (such as daily) rather than infrequently for maximum benefits.3
Review of the Literature
Investigators made a major review of the epidemiological evidence regarding women. They reported that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol contributed significantly to reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The disease is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. That’s the leading cause of death among women in the United States.4
B. Large Studies
Another Harvard study followed 41,810 men 40-75 years of age over a period of six years. It controlled for known risk factors. Men who drank higher amounts of alcohol had a reduced risk of diabetes.
Compared to abstainers, men who drank two to three drinks per day experienced a 39% reduced risk of diabetes. In short, moderate alcohol consumption significantly reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.6
A study followed almost 21,000 male physicians for over 12 years. Those who were light to moderate drinkers had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.8
C. Very Long Studies
A population-based study followed more than 4,000 diabetic and non-diabetic Japanese men for 19 years. It compared the effects of drinking alcohol on both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality .
Moderate drinkers had lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. This was true for diabetic, non-diabetic and impaired glucose tolerant men.
The decrease in cardiovascular and all-cause death rates with moderate drinking was even greater among diabetics than non-diabetics.10
D. Other Studies
Insulin
Research at the University of Padova Medical School in Italy looked at alcohol and type 2 diabetes. It found that consuming alcohol directly improved the action of insulin in healthy diabetics. Alcohol also improved fatty acid levels.11
Middle-aged men participated in a randomized diet-controlled experimental study. It reported that moderate alcohol consumption (four drinks of whiskey per day) improved insulin sensitivity in relatively insulin-resistant subjects. They reported that these findings are consistent with observational studies.12
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome refers to a dangerous cluster of conditions that can lead to diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center analyzed data from 8,125 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. They found that drinkers had a 43 percent lower chance of having Metabolic Syndrome than did non-drinkers.14
Older Women
Non-diabetic postmenopausal women can reduce insulin concentrations and improve insulin sensitivity by consuming alcohol in moderation. This was reported by nutrition researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
Women age 40-70 who drank alcohol in moderation had a much lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The large study in the Netherlands followed them for an average of over six years. The “findings support the evidence of a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes with moderate alcohol consumption. It expands this to a population of older women.”16
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is the leading factor linked with the development of diabetes.
Having between about two and four drinks daily greatly reduces the risk of hyperglycemia in obese people. This, in turn, reduces the risk of diabetes. That’s because obesity increases the risk of hypoglycemia. But alcohol reduces the risk of hypoglycemia.
This study confirms that the protective effect of drinking alcohol also applies to obese persons as well.17
Pre-diabetes
This large study found that drinking alcohol in moderation may improve insulin secretion. Thus, drinking would prevent the progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes.18
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes eating plant-based foods, olive oil, wine in moderation, and low consumption of meat and dairy products.
Researchers wanted to know which parts of a Mediterranean Diet most reduced death risk in type 2 diabetes patients. So they scored each of its components.
A total of 1,995 type 2 diabetes patients were followed for four years. Those who more closely followed the Mediterranean Diet were less likely to die during the period.
This information was used to estimate the most important parts of the Mediterranean Diet in promoting longer life. The most valuable was drinking wine in moderation.19
Obesity
(U.S. guidelines identify one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men as moderate drinking. This study defines having between about two and four drinks per day as light to moderate. It finds these levels provide health benefits. Official government guidelines are somewhat arbitrary. That’s because they are molded by social and political forces.
But doesn’t drinking contribute to weight gain? This common belief is not supported by medical research. See Alcohol, Calories & Weight Gain.
III. Form of Alcoholic Beverage
Clearly, moderate drinkers have a much lower risk of type 2 diabetes than abstainers. Heavy drinkers have an increased risk. It’s as high as that of abstainers. The pattern has the shape of the letter U. But does the U-shaped risk pattern apply to wine, to beer, and to spirits. In other words, does the form of alcoholic beverage matter?
The Study
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to answer this question. It included 13 prospective studies. Each study examined the effects of specific types of alcoholic beverage on the risk of type 2 diabetes. Together, they provided data on 397,296 study participants and 20,641 cases of the disease.
The Results
IV. Summary & Resources: Alcohol and Type 2 Diabetes
Summary
Scientific medical research shows that moderate drinking reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The health benefits associated with drinking in moderation are also similar for beer, wine and spirits. The primary factor associated with health and longevity is the alcohol itself.
Resources
These books don’t focus on alcohol and type 2 diabetes. Instead, they do two things. First, they provide information about type 2 diabetes. Second, they answer questions and provide guidance on managing the disease.
- American Diabetes Association. Your Type 2 Action Plan. Alexandria, VA: The Assn, 2015.
- Barnett, A. Type 2 Diabetes. Oxford: Oxford U Press, 2012.
- Barrier, P. Type 2 Diabetes for Beginners. Alexandria, VA: ADA, 2011.
- Campbell, L., and Rubin, A. Type 2 Diabetes for Dummies. Hoboken: Wiley, 2012.
- Colvin, R., and Lane, J. The Type 2 Diabetes Handbook. Omaha: Addicus, 2011.
- Leslie, R. et al Diabetes. London: Manson, 2013.
- Swift, C., and Clark, N. Overcoming Type 2 Diabetes. NY: Alpha, 2015.
References
- Li, X-H., et al. Association between alcohol consumption and the risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr, 2016. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.115.114389.
- Baliunas, D., et al. Alcohol as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2009, 32, 2123-2132.
- Koppes, L., et al. Moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2005, 28, 719-725.
- Bassuk, S. and Manson, J. Lifestyle and risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Am J Lifestyle Med, 2008, 2(3), 191-213.
- Tanner, L. Light to moderate drinking cuts diabetes risk in women, too. AP, 6-10-03. Nat Diabetes Info Clearinghouse, nd.
- Rimm, E., et al. Prospective study of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and the risk of diabetes. Brit Med J, 1995, 310, 555-559.
- Carlsson, S., et al. Alcohol consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2003, 26(10), 2785-2786.
- Umed, A., et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Int Med, 2000, 160, 1025-1050.
- Wei, M., et al. Alcohol intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes in men. Diabetes Care, 2000, 23(1), 18-26.
- Nakamura, Y., et al. Alcohol intake and 19-year mortality in diabetic men. Alco, 2009, 43, 635-641.
- Avogaro, A., et al. Acute alcohol consumption improves insulin action without affecting insulin secretion in type 2 diabetic subjects. Diabetes Care, 2004, 27(6), 1369-1374.
- Sierkskma, A., et al. Effect of moderate alcohol consumption on adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and insulin sensitivity. Diabetes Care, 2004, 27(1), 184-189.
- Kenkre, P., et al. Serum insulin concentrations in daily drinkers compared with abstainers. Bio Sci Med Sci, 2003, 58, M960-M963.
- Freiberg, M., et al. Alcohol consumption and the prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome. Diabetes Care, 2004, 27(11), 2954-22959.
- Davies, M., et al. Effects of moderate alcohol intake on fasting insulin and glucose concentrations and insulin sensitivity. JAMA, 2002, 287(19), 2559-2562.
- Beulens, J., et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2005, 28, 2933-2938.
- Wakabayashi, U. Light-to-moderate alcohol drinking reduces the impact of obesity on the risk of diabetes mellitus. J Stud Alco Drugs, 2014, 75, 1032-1038.
- Crandall, J., et al. Alcohol consumption and diabetes risk. Am J Clin Nut, 2009, 595-601.
- Bonaccio, M., et al. Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet and mortality in subjects with diabetes. Euro J Prev Cardiol. 2015. Pre-publication. DOI: 10.1177/1047487115569409.
- Wakabayashi, U. ibid.
- Wang, J., et al. Specific types of alcoholic beverage consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Investig, 2016, May 10. doi: 10.1111/jdi.12537. (Epub ahead of print.)
The Mediterranean Pyramid by permission of Oldways.