Utrecht: Women over-50s who enjoy a daily alcoholic drink are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, according to scientists at the Utrecht University Medical Centre in Holland.

On the other hand drinking more than moderately loses the benefit. The scientists studied more than 16,000 women aged between 49 and 70 who did not have diabetes. After six years they found that 760 women had developed type 2 diabetes.

After examining alcohol consumption, they discovered that women who took five to 30g of alcohol each week were much less likely to develop the disease.

Levels of diabetes in developed countries is increasing as a result of increased obesity. Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to process sugar, leading to high levels which damages organs. Type 1 diabetes develops at a young age and type 2 in older people who are usually overweight.