CAN ALCOHOL KEEP DIABETES AWAY?

Generally speaking, diabetics are cautioned to stay away from alcohol. But moderate consumption just might play a role in keeping the disease at bay. According to Dutch research recently published, healthy adults who drink one to two glasses of alcohol per day have a smaller chance of developing one form of diabetes than those who abstain. The 1O-year study of 35,OOO adults between the ages of 2O and 7O, carried out by the National Institute for Public Health and Environment and Dutch medical and scientific centers, focused on Type 2 diabetes. Results showed that people who consumed alcohol moderately and met at least three of four conditions of a healthy lifestyle, had a 4O percent less chance of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who abstained from alcohol completely. The four conditions of a healthy lifestyle were defined as: obesity prevention, adequate exercise, not smoking, and a balanced diet. Type 2 diabetes, which is often caused by obesity, is the most common form of the disease and affects more than 18O million adults worldwide.