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 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.