A recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, has found that manta with type 2 diabetes, who consume between one-half and two alcohol drinks pet day, may actually reduce their risk of heart disease.

Researchers examined the relationship between alcohol in take and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among 2,429 men who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 30 or older. Compared with nondrinkers, men who drank one-half to two drinks daily cut their heart disease risk by 36 percent.

On December 27, 2001 the American Diabetes Association (ADA) published new dietary guidelines for those with type 2 diabetes, stating that men can consume up to two drink a day , and that women can also enjoy one drink (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard Liquor) a day.

The ADA also recommends that alcohol should be consumed with food.

Harvard researchers conclude, "Licht-to-Moderate drinking with meals may be an attractive and beneficial lifestyle component for the patient with diabetes. It remains for the clinician to decide whether to include alcohol recommendations as part of the treatment plan for type 2 diabetes. For mast the benefits would likely outweigh the risks."

The Harvard School of Public Health study is printed in December 2001 Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Medical studies continue to demonstrate that moderate alcohol consumption by those age 21 and over can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Source:"National Beer Wholesalers Association"