Diabetes

This chapter reviews evidence on the link between alcohol consumption and the risk for type 2 diabetes. The results of individual studies vary. Some studies have found a linear inverse relationship association between alcohol consumption and incidence of type 2 diabetes. In the Nurses’ Health Study, alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared to abstention. The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study in males found a similar inverse association between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes. The Physician’s Health Study corroborates that consumption of alcohol in men has an inverse linear association with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, Holbrook et al. found a positive association between alcohol consumption and incidence of type 2 diabetes in men. A study in middle-aged men who consumed a substantial amount of alcohol (greater than 21 drinks per week) found a 50% increase in relative risk of type 2 diabetes compared with their counterparts who drank up to one drink per week