Cardiovascular benefits and risks of moderate alcohol consumption in diabetes mellitus

Many reports show a 20% decrease in the risk of coronary disease in people taking small amounts of alcohol (5-14 drinks per week), i.e. less than 30 g alcohol per day for men and 15 g alcohol per day for women. On the other hand, diabetes mellitus is associated with the highest rate and earlier development of atherosclerotic changes as compared with the general population, diabetes mellitus being one of the risk factors for coronary disease. Alcohol has an antiatherogenic effect, the possible mechanisms implying alcohol metabolism into acetaldehyde that inhibits the formation of glycosylation endproducts and lipoprotein oxidation, reduces platelet aggregation, and influences vascular relaxation depending on the endothelium mediated by the NO-cyclic guanosine 5-monophosphate system. Thus, moderate alcohol consumption in diabetics does not interfere with normotriglyceridemia if taken at meals. The recommended alcohol intake is 1-2 drinks daily or 5-14 drinks weekly.