Renal and Urology News confirmed a study that found drinking alcohol in moderate doses correlates with a low prevalence of post-transplant diabetes and decreased risk of death in renal transplant recipients.
Dorien Zelle, a doctoral candidate at University Medical Center Groningen, led the study, which consisted of examining data from 600 RTR with an average age of 51 years and a median of almost six years post-transplant. The report showed after seven years, of the 600 subjects, 33 of the patients who drank alcohol in moderation died compared to 75 of the alcohol abstainers, 23 of the sporadic drinkers and two of the heavy drinkers. According to the researchers, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a 44 percent decreased risk of death.
“Currently, many RTR are advised against the use of social amounts of alcohol because of fear for adverse effects in combination with the many drugs they frequently use,” said senior investigator Dr. Stephan Bakker. “Our findings indicate that this fear is unrealistic, which may benefit not only quantity, but also quality of life of RTR.”
Even those fortunate enough not to be an RTR, should consider following a balanced diet, so they can acquire adequate health benefits and possibly achieve better health insurance premiums.
