If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol may raise or lower your blood sugar. In addition, alcohol contains a lot of calories.
If you drink alcohol, do so occasionally and only when your diabetes and blood glucose levels are well controlled. If you are following a calorie-controlled meal plan, one glass of wine should count as two fat exchanges.
Consult your doctor about whether it is safe to drink alcohol.
The effects of alcohol on diabetes
Here are some of the ways that alcohol affects diabetes.
- While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar to rise, excessive amounts of alcohol may actually lower blood sugar levels, sometimes to dangerous levels, especially for people with type 1 diabetes.
- Beer and liqueurs contain carbohydrates, which may raise blood sugar.
- Alcohol stimulates appetite.
- Alcohol can stimulate appetite, leading to overeating and possibly affecting blood sugar control.
- Alcoholic beverages often contain a lot of calories, which makes weight loss more difficult.
- Alcohol may impair judgment or willpower, leading to making poor food choices.
- Alcohol may interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medications or insulin.
- Alcohol may interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medications or insulin.
- Alcohol may raise triglyceride levels.
- Alcohol may raise blood pressure.
- Alcohol may raise blood pressure.
- Alcohol may raise blood pressure.
- Alcohol may cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.
These may be confused with or mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Diabetes and alcohol consumption: dos and don’ts
People with diabetes who drink alcohol should follow these drinking guidelines.
- Do not drink more than 2 drinks per day if you are a man or 1 drink if you are a woman (for example, one alcoholic drink = 150 ml of wine, 45 ml of spirits, or 350 ml of beer).
- Drink alcohol only with meals.
- Drink slowly.
- Drink slowly.
- Avoid “sugary” mixed drinks, liqueurs, or liqueurs.
- Mix spirits with water, soda, or sugar-free soft drinks.
- Always wear an accessory with a medical warning that you have diabetes.