ABSTRACT
Alcohol consumption, typically red wine, has been an integral part of most Mediterranean dietary patterns, the main exception being Muslim populations. The key to achieving possible health benefits from alcohol consumption depends on following the definition of moderate drinking. The relationship between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes has been a topic of interest to researchers for a number of years. Alcohol likely acts through several different mechanisms in helping to decrease risk of type 2 diabetes, including the slowing of glucose uptake from a meal. Binge drinking and high alcohol intake, however, indicated an increased type 2 diabetes risk, especially in women. Substantial evidence from numerous types of studies indicates an inverse relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease risk (CVD). Findings from numerous studies suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may offer some protection against the development of type 2 diabetes and CVDs.
