New research presented at the American Physiology Summit in Long Beach, California, suggests that heavy alcohol consumption may increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes in middle-aged adults.
This annual meeting, hosted by the American Physiological Society (APS), highlighted studies on the physiological impacts of lifestyle choices, including the effects of alcohol on health.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines heavy drinking as consuming five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men.
For women, heavy drinking is defined as more than four drinks per day or eight or more drinks per week. Such levels of alcohol consumption can impair liver and pancreas function, critical organs involved in regulating glucose, or blood sugar, in the body.
This particular study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington’s Cardiovascular Laboratory of Health, focused on adults between the ages of 50 and 64.
They compared two groups: one labeled “heavy drinkers,” at risk of developing alcohol use disorder, and a “nonheavy drinkers” group, based on their consumption habits and PEth scores—a biomarker indicating alcohol consumption.
A PEth score of 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or higher is considered above the NIAAA’s recommended limits.
The findings revealed that the heavy drinkers had higher fasting glucose levels, suggesting that excessive alcohol consumption could negatively affect glucose regulation in this age group.
Although there were no significant differences in kidney or liver function between the two groups, the broader impacts of excessive alcohol intake were evident.
Chueh-Lung “Laura” Hwang, Ph.D., PT, the senior author of the study, emphasized the broader risks associated with exceeding recommended alcohol limits.
These risks extend beyond Type 2 diabetes to include potential damage to various organs and an increased likelihood of developing other chronic diseases.
Given these findings, Dr. Hwang and her team recommend moderation in alcohol consumption. For men, this means not exceeding four drinks on any single day, and for women, no more than three drinks.
These guidelines are not only intended to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes but also to mitigate other health risks associated with heavy alcohol use.
As the U.S. population ages, and the number of people with Type 2 diabetes increases, understanding and addressing factors like alcohol consumption that may accelerate or exacerbate this condition is becoming increasingly important.
This research contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that lifestyle choices play a significant role in the management and prevention of chronic diseases.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about a cure for type 2 diabetes, and these vegetables could protect against kidney damage in diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about bone drug that could lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing eating more eggs linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
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