According to a research in Scotland, the use of statins to lower cholesterol increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 9%.

The research, published in the Lancet, went through studies that involved more than 91,000 patients out of which 4,278 developed diabetes. Also, the risk of Type 2 diabetes was seen to be higher in older patients.

Professor Naveed Sattar, from the Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, explained that statins not only lower your blood cholesterol but also improve the functioning of the blood vessels, which may possibly lower the risk of diabetes also.

He agreed that a less active person is likely to put on a slight weight if he is on statins compared to being on a placebo tablet.

People who take statins can continue doing so, since the benefits of the drug eventually overshadows any small increase in diabetes, Prof Sattar said.

Dr. Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said, "This high-quality research has found a 10% increased risk of diabetes in over 60s who take statins. This small increased risk, however, is heavily outweighed by the benefits of statins in those at high risk of heart problems".