Dutch researchers say moderate alcohol consumption among kidney transplant recipients could prevent diabetes among them.

Dorien Zelle and her colleagues from University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands studied 600 renal transplant recipients. They found moderate alcohol drinkers were 67 per cent less likely to develop diabetes than nondrinkers or those who are other types of drinkers. Those who drink moderately are 44 per cent less likely to die than others.

They advise drinking in moderation among renal transplant recipients as against the traditional advice of no alcohol consumption.

"Quality of life in renal transplant recipients is under pressure by many threats, restrictions, and recommendations," said Ms. Zelle. "Our results indicate that one of the restraints on quality of life in stable renal transplant recipients may be released. There seems no reason to advise renal transplant recipients to abstain from alcohol post-transplant."