Alcohol Consumption and its Relationship to Diabetes Mellitus: Friend or Foe?

Abstract

The diabetes mellitus rates are increasing worldwide reaching epidemic levels. Alcohol consumption is also increasing globally. It is known that excessive alcohol consumption is an important lifestyle risk factor for several chronic conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The relationship between diabetes mellitus and alcohol is not completely elucidated. Most studies suggest a “U” shape relation of alcohol drinking and diabetes mellitus risk and its complications. The ingestion of moderate amounts of alcohol might not just decrease diabetes mellitus development risk, but also be associated to better metabolic control, decrease in some microvascular complications (retinopathy and nephropathy), decrease in macrovascular events and mortality. The benefits may be restricted not just to the moderate amount of alcohol intake, but also vary according to age, gender, body mass index, ethnics and type of alcohol drinks.