Another clinical study has confirmed a little alcohol can be good for people. But this time, this study also confirms light to moderate drinking could be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

It found that people who imbibe a bit of alcohol daily had lower levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat that is the main constituent of body fat in humans. Triglycerides enable the bidirectional transfer of fat and blood glucose from the liver throughout the body. A high level of triglyceride is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.

The study also showed lower levels of insulin in people that drank light to moderate amounts of alcohol. Light to moderate drinking also improved insulin resistance in these people.

Insulin resistance occurs when the body doesn't respond well to the insulin that the pancreas produces and glucose is less abled to enter the cells. People with insulin resistance may or may not go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

Light to moderate drinking is equivalent to some 20 grams of alcohol daily. That's one and a half cans of beer, a large glass of wine (about 7 ounces) or a generous shot (1.7 ounces) of distilled spirits, according to Yuling Chen, study lead author from Southeast University in Nanjing, China.

Distilled spirits include brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey.

The study's finding suggests that "light to moderate alcohol consumption might protect against type 2 diabetes," said Chen.

However, Chen cautioned that too much of a good thing isn't good.

"High alcohol consumption is reported to be a risk factor for diabetes," he pointed out.

It's long been known excessive drinking is a problem because too much alcohol can raise triglycerides and lead to serious health concerns such as pancreatitis. Excessive drinking can also lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems such as stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, digestive problems and some forms of cancer.

For the study, Chen and his team reviewed 10 previous randomized controlled trials on people with type 2 diabetes. Those studies involved a total of 575 volunteers.

Researchers measured a number of factors related to diabetes and health. These factors included blood sugar control, insulin levels, insulin resistance, cholesterol and triglycerides.

Researchers found a reduction of nearly 9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in average triglyceride levels for those that drank alcohol moderately. A normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Researchers also saw decreases in insulin levels and in "HOMA-IR," a measure that assesses insulin resistance. Chen said these findings suggest "relieved insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients."

The authors presented their findings at a meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Barcelona, Spain. Findings presented at meetings are typically viewed as preliminary until they've been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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