Diabetes: How your favourite alcoholic drink ‘LOWERS risk of killer disease’

A GLASS of wine with dinner slashes the risk of diabetes, according to a study.
Diners who enjoy a teatime tipple are 14 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes because antioxidants from the grapes help the body digest sugar.
The study used 11 years of data from 300,000 Brits to reveal the health kick.
But they found eating at the same time is key and necking booze without food probably does more harm than good.
Dr Hao Ma, from Tulane University in New Orleans, said: “The message from this study is that drinking moderate amounts of wine with meals may prevent type 2 diabetes.
“That is if you don’t have another health condition that may be negatively affected by alcohol consumption.
“The effects of alcohol on health are a double-edged sword because of its ability to cut deeply in either direction – harmful or helpful, depending on how it is consumed.”
Around five million people in the UK have type 2 diabetes and it can lead to stroke, heart disease, skin infections and sexual problems for blokes.
Most read in Health
Most cases are caused by being overweight or not doing enough exercise, which means the body can’t absorb sugar properly.
Dr Ma said studies show antioxidants in wine boost sugar digestion but have not found a drop in diabetes risk – until now.
He revealed people are less likely to develop the condition if they drink up to one small glass per day for women or two per day for men with meals.
The same effect did not happen with beer or spirits, or drinking wine at other times of the day, Dr Ma revealed at the American Heart Association conference.
Dr Robert Eckel, of the American Diabetes Association, added: “These data suggest it’s not the alcohol with meals but other ingredients in wine, perhaps antioxidants, that may be the factor.
“The type of wine – red versus white – needs to be defined and validation of these findings is needed.
“But the results suggest that if you are consuming alcohol with meals, wine may be a better choice.”
Scientists have battled for years over the benefits and dangers of a glass of plonk, with other studies claiming it can keep you slim or protect your heart.