Alcohol and diabetes: Effects, blood sugar levels, and guidelines

For many people, the occasional glass of alcohol does not pose a problem. However, for people with diabetes, alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels. The pancreas, which is located behind the stomach, serves two functions. The first function, which involves most of the pancreatic cells, is the production of digestive enzymes. Those enzymes are secreted directly into the gut to ensure effective food digestion.

diabetes and alcohol

When you drink alcohol daily or consume alcohol once in a while, the outward effects are similar to low blood sugar. It can be difficult to diagnose an alcohol use disorder in someone struggling with alcohol and diabetes. Despite what you may have heard, alcohol is not packed with carbohydrates. For example, a 12-ounce beer may have as low as nine grams of carbs, while a five-ounce glass of wine has about four. Though there are carb-heavy drinks—dessert wines, for example—they do not necessarily make for a better drinking option. At this point, alcohol can affect blood sugar in ways that are especially important for people with type 2 diabetes.

Things to Keep in Mind If You Choose to Drink

However, if you over-imbibe, don’t eat while drinking, or are taking a medication that manages your blood sugars, combined with the alcohol, it can lower your blood sugar too much, causing hypoglycemia. For most people, consuming vitamin C is the norm as it helps the body fight off infections. However, what most people do not know is that vitamin C can also help with diabetes. Consuming at least 600mg of vitamin C daily can improve blood sugar level control. You can get your daily dose of vitamin C from fruits and vegetables like oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and more.

  • People with diabetes who want to drink responsibly may find it beneficial to track the calories and carbohydrates in the beverages they consume.
  • Excess weight can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, and it can make the condition worse.
  • People with diabetes should be sure to pay attention to any potential warnings.
  • Alcohol intake also increases triglyceride and blood pressure levels, which are other type 2 risk factors.
  • If you have diabetes, it is important to know whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol, what type of alcohol is best, and how much alcohol is safe to consume.

This means no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. One drink is equal to five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. The signs of consuming too much alcohol and having low blood sugar are similar, making it difficult to figure out the cause of your symptoms. Signs can include sleepiness, blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired coordination and trouble thinking. That’s about 1.5 cans of beer, a large glass of wine (almost 7 ounces), or a generous shot (1.7 ounces) of distilled spirits.

Always test blood sugar before having an alcoholic beverage

Alcohol can further damage their blood vessels and increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. If you have diabetes and drink alcohol, it is important to never drink on an empty stomach. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can cause your blood sugar levels to drop quickly, which can lead to hypoglycemia. The general rule of thumb for moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks for men. More than three drinks for men can put you at risk of developing health complications.

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For this reason, you should never drink alcohol when your blood glucose is already low. If you drink, do it occasionally and only when your diabetes and blood sugar level are well-controlled. If you are following a calorie-controlled meal plan, one drink of alcohol should be counted as two fat exchanges.

Effects of Alcohol on Blood Sugar

Aside from avoiding alcohol, there are some home remedies that you can do to help lower your blood sugar levels. This includes what not to eat, what you can do, and what you can eat. If you have diabetes, it is important to know whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol, what type of alcohol is best, and how much alcohol is safe to consume. At La Hacienda we treat alcoholism while also helping people with blood sugar issues, especially those who have digestive and kidney diseases, manage their conditions. Living with diabetes does not necessarily mean you have to avoid alcohol completely.

Is all alcohol bad for blood sugar?

While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar.

The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling AHA-USA1. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability.

This effect is due to the alcohol’s adverse effect upon liver function, which typically works to regulate blood sugar levels. Normally, the liver releases glucose to maintain https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/diabetes-and-alcohol-can-diabetics-get-drunk/ blood sugar levels. But when you drink alcohol, the liver is busy breaking the alcohol down, so it does a poor job of releasing glucose into the bloodstream.

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If yours is low, follow your physician’s recommendations, such as consuming some carbs to counteract the drop. Drinking less—as any healthcare professional will tell you—is better. Before heading out to a bar or restaurant where you plan to have a drink, put on your medical ID bracelet. This way, if an emergency arises, medical personnel (who are trained to look for IDs) will know you have diabetes. It may sound harsh, but it’s advice that any healthcare provider is likely to give.

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