A glass of red wine every evening can benefit diabetics, say scientists.

A trial found patients who enjoyed plonk with their dinner increased their levels of good cholesterol.

In a two-year study more than 200 patients, who had previously abstained from alcohol, drank a glass of either mineral water, red or white wine every day.

Red wine was best for the metabolism by modestly increasing good cholesterol.  Recommending diabetics drink alcohol is still controversial.

The report said: “This first long-term large alcohol trial suggests initiating moderate wine intake, especially red wine, among well-controlled type 2 patients in a healthy diet, is apparently safe and lowers cardiometabolic risk.”

Type 2 diabetes , where the body does not produce enough insulin to break down blood sugar, is controlled by diet. Type 1, where no insulin is produced, requires injections.

The trial found neither type of wine affected blood pressure, liver function or medication. Both groups drinking wine also modestly improved glucose metabolism.

The study, led by Professor Iris Shai, of Ben-Gurion University, Israel, was being presented in Prague this week.

More than three million adults in England have been diagnosed with diabetes. The figure is set to hit 4.6 million by 2030.