Healthy Diet May Protect Diabetics’ Kidneys

People with diabetes may be less likely to develop kidney disease if they eat a healthy diet and drink moderately, new research suggests. The study included more than 6,200 diabetes patients. Researchers kept track of them for more than 5 years. In that time, about 32% developed chronic (long-lasting) kidney disease. About 8% died. People who scored highest on a scale measuring the health of their diets were 39% less likely to die than those with the least healthy diets. They were 26% less likely to develop kidney disease. About one-third of those in the study drank alcohol regularly. People who had about 5 drinks per week were 25% less likely to develop kidney disease. They also were 31% less likely to die during the study. The journal JAMA Internal Medicine published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it August 12.