Background
This study aims to examine the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of pre- or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by alcohol-induced flushing response in Korean male adults, particularly based on their body mass index (BMI).
Methods
This study selected 1,030 (158 non-drinkers, 364 flushers, and 508 non-flushers) male adults who had medical checkups. A logistic regression analysis was used to compare the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of pre- or T2DM.
Results
In both the normal-weight group (BMI <23 kg/m²) and the overweight group (BMI ≥23 kg/m² and <25 kg/ m²), the flushers had a higher risk of pre- or T2DM (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) when consuming more than 8 drinks of alcohol per week than the non-drinkers (normal-weight group: 3.43, 1.06–11.07; overweight group: 4.94, 1.56–15.67). But in the non-flushers among the normal-weight group and the overweight group, there was no significant difference compared to non-drinkers regarding the risk of pre- or T2DM. Obese flushers had a significantly higher risk of pre- or T2DM when consuming more than 4 drinks of alcohol per week than the non-drinkers (>4 and ≤8 drinks: 2.64, 1.10–6.36; >8 drinks: 2.42, 1.11–5.27). However, obese non-flushers had only a significant higher risk of pre- or T2DM when consuming more than 8 drinks of alcohol per week than the non-drinkers (2.72, 1.39–5.30)
Conclusion
These results suggest that obese flushers have an increased risk of developing pre- or T2DM even with less alcohol consumption.

Citations

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  Hwa Jung Yook, Gyu-Na Lee, Ji Hyun Lee, Kyungdo Han, Young Min Park
  Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Current Status of Korean Alcohol Drinking in Accordance with the Korean Alcohol Guidelines for Moderate Drinking Based on Facial Flushing
  Sami Lee, Jihan Kim, Jong Sung Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(3): 129.     CrossRef
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  Mahdieh Golzarand, Asma Salari-Moghaddam, Parvin Mirmiran
  Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.2022; 62(29): 8078.     CrossRef
• Alcohol and Testosterone Deficiency in People Who Experience Facial Flushes
  Jungun Lee
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2022; 43(6): 345.     CrossRef
• Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Testosterone Deficiency according to Facial Flushes among Middle-Aged and Older Korean Men
  Kyungmi Koh, Sung Soo Kim, Jong-Sung Kim, Jin-Gyu Jung, Seok-Joon Yoon, Won Yoon Suh, Hyun Gu Kim, Namhee Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2022; 43(6): 381.     CrossRef
• Does the Risk for Diabetes Related with Alcohol Drinking Depend on Facial Flushing?
  Soo Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2020; 41(3): 137.     CrossRef