7 Facts about Diabetes and Alcohol Use

Hypoglycemia is a frequent and substantial problem after alcohol consumption, in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The hazards are greater for people who take medications that are known to cause hypoglycemia, especially insulin and sulfonylureas. Many spirits (vodka, tequila, and so on) have only trace amounts of carbohydrates; a glass of wine probably has only a few grams of carbs. A can of light beer may have only a handful of grams of carbohydrates; a regular beer about a dozen. Moderate alcohol consumption, therefore, does not need to result in large carb counts.

If you never or rarely drink alcohol, you’re not alone—in fact, people with diabetes drink about half as much as other adults. Maybe their doctors cautioned them that drinking and diabetes don’t mix. Perhaps some have health conditions that are incompatible with alcohol. Or maybe they’re just concerned about all those calories—and carbs.

Alcohol and hypoglycemia

Doctors strongly encourage people with diabetes to engage in regular physical activity because it reduces blood sugar. fetal alcohol syndrome celebrities However, exercising, drinking alcohol, and taking blood sugar-lowering medication could cause hypoglycemia. Certain diabetes medications, such as insulin and sulfonylureas, can increase your risk of hypoglycemia, and alcohol further affects that risk.

Interaction With Diabetes Medication

The ADA does not forbid a person with diabetes from consuming alcohol, but they do not advise it either. If someone with diabetes chooses to drink alcohol, the ADA recommends limiting consumption to a moderate intake. This translates to one drink per day for females and up to two per day for males. Keep reading to learn more about how alcohol affects people with diabetes, including types of alcohol and how alcohol may cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels. After you drink alcohol, your blood sugar levels can drop up to 24 hours later. Check your blood sugar before and while you’re drinking and then again before you go to bed.

Now, does that mean that someone with diabetes can’t drink alcohol? But if you have diabetes and want to enjoy happy hour, it’s best to take an approach that offers you some protection. Liquid sugars are quickly absorbed by the body, so those carbs won’t be much help in preventing or treating a low that may occur hours after you drink. Food, on the other hand, is digested gradually, so it provides better protection against lows. Too much drinking, on the other hand (more than three drinks daily), can lead to higher blood glucose and A1C.

There are many different types of drugs that can work in different ways to lower your blood glucose (blood sugar). Drinking is individualized and there’s no universal rule for how to do it safely when you live with diabetes. na vs aa Talk to your doctor about your drinking habits and they can provide you with tips and tricks for how drink in a way that works for you. That can make it especially difficult to get a grip on how many carbs and calories you’re consuming.

Blood sugar levels

Alcohol takes longer to be absorbed into your bloodstream if you have food in your stomach. 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. Glucagon kits, widely used to treat hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes, do not work as well if someone has alcohol in their system. Reviews often describe this beer as refreshing, easy to drink, and not too filling due to its lower carb count. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one standard drink in the United States is equal to 14 grams (g) (0.6 ounces [oz]) of pure alcohol.

The increase in blood sugar levels gives way to hyperglycemia, or too-high blood sugar. This can cause a host of symptoms, from thirst and frequent urination to slow-healing wounds and does alcohol cause dry eyes disorientation. Avoid drinking traditional cocktails, dessert wines, and cream liqueurs, because they’re generally high in sugar.

Regarding alcohol and diabetes, blood-sugar-reducing medications, such as insulin, increase the risk of low blood sugar, and alcohol increases the risk. Symptoms of low blood sugar include shakiness and confusion and must be treated immediately. When people with type 2 diabetes drink alcohol, it comes with risks. However, it does not mean people with type 2 diabetes cannot drink alcohol. The risks depend on how much alcohol a person consumes, as well as the type. Medical experts have determined that even moderate drinking increases health risks for everyone, but for people with diabetes it holds unique short- and long-term dangers.

It is a good idea to check with your doctor to see if drinking alcohol is safe for you. Drinking alcohol can be an especially dangerous activity for people with diabetes — here’s why. According to the American Heart Association, red wine contains antioxidants, which are compounds in certain foods that help prevent cell damage. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) unawareness occurs when someone with diabetes has a drop in blood sugar but doesn’t recognize the symptoms. As you mull these ideas, keep in mind that much remains to be learned about how alcohol affects people with diabetes. Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the stomach or the small intestine, carried through the body, and delivered to the liver.

Because even moderate alcohol consumption can adversely many aspects of health, the negatives seem to outweigh the positives. The same is true of cocktails made with regular soda or mixers, simple syrup, and other types of added sugar, or fruit juice. Dessert wines contain considerably more sugar than other types of wine. If your glucose drops to less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you’ll need to down 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. This could be three or four glucose tablets, 4 ounces of juice (a small juice box), or five pieces of hard candy (and not chocolate).

Nevertheless, it would be wise for GLP-1 users to remain careful with alcohol. Drugs in the GLP-1 family, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, are known to provoke vomiting — just like excessive drinking. Drinking less—as any healthcare professional will tell you—is better.

1. If someone chooses to consume alcohol, they should have food with it and keep a close watch on their blood sugar.
2. So you may not know if your blood sugar is low or what you’re feeling is just the effects of the alcohol.
3. Or maybe they’re just concerned about all those calories—and carbs.
4. Alcohol takes longer to be absorbed into your bloodstream if you have food in your stomach.
5. Type 2 diabetes and alcohol is not always a beneficial combination.

The effect alcohol will have on your diabetes depends on how much you drink, what you drink, when you drink, and what your medication regimen is. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about how alcohol impacts diabetes. Alcohol is a depressant that impacts how your brain communicates with your body. If you have a history of depression or depressive symptoms, drinking alcohol can worsen your condition.