The Benefits – You’ve probably heard that alcohol is good for your heart. But that’s an oversimplification. Take a look at the numbers and you’ll find that only moderate drinkers have less cardiovascular disease. Those on the opposite ends of the spectrum—people that drink heavily and those that don’t—have a greater risk.
- But what exactly is moderate drinking? It’s one drink a day for women and up to two per day for men.
- However, that “drink” is a lot smaller than some people think: just five ounces of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or one and a half ounces of 80-proof spirits.
- A daily cocktail or two may improve blood sugar (blood glucose) management and insulin sensitivity.
If you have one or more drinks a day, you may find that your A1C is lower than during times you weren’t drinking. But if you don’t drink regularly, this doesn’t mean you should start. After all, other aspects of moderate drinkers’ lives may be behind the link.
Does all alcohol spike blood sugar?
If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol may cause your blood sugar to either rise or fall. Plus, alcohol has a lot of calories. 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.
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.Alcohol stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control. Alcoholic drinks often have a lot of calories, making it more difficult to lose excess weight.Alcohol may also affect your judgment or willpower, causing you to make poor food choices.Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin,Alcohol may increase triglyceride levels,Alcohol may increase blood pressure,Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.
These may be confused with or mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, People with diabetes who drink should follow these alcohol consumption guidelines:
Do not drink more than two drinks of alcohol in a one-day period if you are a man, or one drink if you are a woman. (Example: one alcoholic drink = 5-ounce glass of wine, 1 1/2-ounce “shot” of liquor or 12-ounce beer).Drink alcohol only with food.Drink slowly.Avoid “sugary” mixed drinks, sweet wines, or cordials.Mix liquor with water, club soda, or diet soft drinks.Always wear a medical alert piece of jewelry that says you have diabetes.
How does alcohol affect blood sugar levels?
Alcohol and diabetes – If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol can lead to ‘hypoglycaemic unawareness’.6 In other words, the combined effect of the reduction in your blood sugar with the disinhibiting effect of alcohol can mean you’re less likely to notice the warning signs of low blood sugar.
Can you drink alcohol if you are diabetic?
Diabetes and Alcohol: Drinks and Cocktails Medically Reviewed by on January 28, 2023 
Most people with diabetes can enjoy some alcohol. Rules are the same as for everyone else: one drink per day for women; two for men. But you need to know how alcohol affects your blood sugar. A sugary drink might spike your blood sugar. But if you drink on an empty stomach or take certain meds, your levels could swing too low. 
A 12-ounce beer has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, compared to 3 to 6 grams in light beer. Also, “light” and “low carb” are pretty much the same thing – and also your best bet. Be careful with craft beers. Most have twice the alcohol and calories as regular beer. 
Some research says wine (red or white) may help your body use insulin better and may even make you less likely to get type 2 diabetes in the first place. It may also have heart benefits, to boot! Moderation is the key as too much alcohol can cause hypoglycemia. A standard 5-ounce serving has about 120 calories, nearly all of which come from alcohol, not carbs. 
Recipes vary, but depending on the fruit and juices involved, this drink may have as much sugar as a regular soda. Instead of sangria, go with one glass of dry red or white wine. Those only have about 4 grams of carbs. Avoid sweeter varieties, like flavored wines and dessert wines. 
One ounce of liquor, depending on the proof, has about the same amount of alcohol as 5 ounces of wine. While liquor is often carb-free, mixers like soda and juice can send blood sugar levels through the roof. To prevent a spike, mix your liquor with a calorie-free drink like water or seltzer. 
Sweet drinks like margaritas and mojitos don’t have to be off-limits. Use sugar-free mixers for margaritas and fresh fruit for daiquiris. And instead of pouring simple syrup into mojitos and martinis, try a natural sweetener like stevia or a sugar substitute. 
This brunch classic can be a diabetes diet disaster. Take out the alcohol to make it “virgin.” Add a celery spear, and use low-sodium tomato juice. A virgin bloody Mary contains about one serving of carbohydrates (around 15 g). 
- Stay hydrated – it helps keep you sober.
- Wear ID that says you have diabetes – a buzz and low blood sugar can look the same.
- Be careful if you take insulin or another diabetes medication – alcohol can make your blood sugar drop.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Food helps you process alcohol. Don’t drink your meals. Booze lowers blood sugar. Don’t forget to test. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar for up to 24 hours. Especially test blood sugar before bed to see if it’s under 100. If it is, have a small snack.
- IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
- 1) iStock / 3602) Thinkstock3) E+4) Thinkstock5) Moment6) E+7) E+8) E+
- 9) iStock / 360
- SOURCES:
- American Diabetes Association: “Alcohol.”
DiabetesForecast.org: “The Art of Appreciating Good Wine.”
- Gerald Bernstein, MD, FACP, director, Diabetes Management Program,
- Friedman Diabetes Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center.
- Marina Chaparro, MPH, RDN, spokeswoman, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Miami.
- Johns Hopkins Diabetes Education: “Mixing Alcohol With Your Diabetes.”
- Dawn Noe, RDN, CDE, Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Toby Smithson, MSNW, RDN, founder, DiabetesEveryDay.com. : Diabetes and Alcohol: Drinks and Cocktails
Will quitting alcohol lower blood sugar?
Alcohol Addiction Treatment – Stopping alcohol can make a big difference in your health. It can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and reduce spikes in your blood sugar. By quitting alcohol use you will also reduce your risk of obesity which will also improve your blood sugar levels.
If you or a family member is dealing with alcohol addiction and are ready to take the next step towards a better lifestyle, whether you are a diabetic or not, and towards recovery, New Directions for Women is here to help. Our facility caters to all women, no matter what they may be going through. To begin recovery, one of the first steps is detoxification, to rid your body of any drugs and alcohol.
It is never a good idea to go through detox alone. Withdrawal from alcohol can be very dangerous and painful, and in some cases fatal. You may also be tempted to go back to the bottle. Completing a medically supervised detoxification protocol within a licensed detox facility is the safest and most effective way.
Will my blood sugar go down if I stop drinking alcohol?
Alcohol and Blood Sugar: Does Quitting Help? – will result in a more typical blood glucose level. After a short period, blood sugar levels will stabilize, and you will experience several positive health changes. One way that the body eliminates excess sugar is by turning it into fat.
Which alcohol is OK for blood sugar?
– The best types of alcohol for people with diabetes are those with a low sugar or carb content. That includes light beers, red and white wines, distilled spirits, and low carb cocktails, as long as you avoid sugary juices or syrups. On the other hand, traditional cocktails, dessert wines, and cream liqueurs tend to have higher sugar counts, which may spike your blood sugar levels.
- Regardless of which type of alcoholic drink you choose, remember that it’s not just sugar that interferes with your blood sugar management.
- The alcohol itself does too.
- Thus, you should drink in moderation and follow the practices listed above.
- Certain diabetes medications, such as insulin and sulfonylureas, can increase your risk of hypoglycemia, and alcohol further affects that risk.
If you’re taking medication, talk with your doctor about whether and how you can safely drink alcohol. Read this article in Spanish,
What alcohol has the most sugar?
A 4-ounce pina colada is one of the alcoholic beverages with the most sugar. It contains 28 grams of added sugar, though it all comes from ingredients other than the alcohol. A 4-ounce daiquiri has 6.7 grams of sugar, again none of it from the actual alcohol. Gin, rum, whiskey and vodka don’t contain any added sugar.
Can a diabetic drink wine?
– Most people with diabetes can safely drink alcohol in moderation. However, it is important that people monitor how alcohol makes them feel and stop drinking right away if they feel dizzy or weak. People with alcohol use disorder or a history of binge drinking should contact a doctor about safe strategies for reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption.
Does beer raise blood sugar?
Diabetes and the Risks of Drinking Alcohol – For people with diabetes, drinking alcohol can cause low or high blood sugar, affect diabetes medicines, and cause other possible problems. LOW BLOOD SUGAR Your liver releases glucose into the blood stream as needed to help keep blood sugar at normal levels.
When you drink alcohol, your liver needs to break down the alcohol. While your liver is processing alcohol, it stops releasing glucose. As a result, your blood sugar level can drop quickly, putting you at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), If you take insulin or certain types of diabetes medicine, it can cause seriously low blood sugar.
Drinking without eating food at the same time also greatly increases this risk. The risk for low blood sugar remains for hours after you take your last drink. The more drinks you have at one time, the higher your risk. This is why you should only drink alcohol with food and drink only in moderation.
ALCOHOL AND DIABETES MEDICINES Some people who take oral diabetes medicines should talk with their provider to see if it is safe to drink alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with the effects of some diabetes medicines, putting you at risk for low blood sugar or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), depending on how much you drink and what medicine you take.
OTHER RISKS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES Drinking alcohol carries the same health risks for people with diabetes as it does in otherwise healthy people. But there are certain risks related to having diabetes that are important to know.
Alcoholic drinks such as beer and sweetened mixed drinks are high in carbohydrates, which can raise blood sugar levels.Alcohol has a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain. This makes it harder to manage diabetes.Calories from alcohol are stored in the liver as fat. Liver fat makes liver cells more insulin resistant and can make your blood sugars higher over time.Symptoms of low blood sugar are very similar to symptoms of alcohol intoxication. If you pass out, those around you may just think you are intoxicated.Being intoxicated makes it harder to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar and increases the risk.If you have diabetes complications, such as nerve, eye, or kidney damage, your provider may recommend that you not drink any alcohol. Doing so may worsen these complications.
Does a hangover affect blood sugar?
– A person’s overall health plays a significant role in how their body responds to alcohol. People with diabetes or other blood sugar issues must be careful when consuming alcohol. Alcohol consumption can interfere with blood sugar as well as the hormones needed to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
People who frequently consume a lot of alcohol can wipe out their energy storage in a few hours. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can reduce the overall effectiveness of insulin. This results in high blood sugar levels. Many people with alcoholic liver disease also have either glucose intolerance or diabetes.
Normal fasting blood sugar levels should be in the range of 70–100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). People who have untreated diabetes generally have blood sugar levels higher than 126 mg/dl. People with diabetes have to be very careful when it comes to drinking alcohol.
It is a good idea for them to talk with a doctor so that they thoroughly understand the risks involved. Some medications are not suitable for use alongside alcohol consumption. People with diabetes should be sure to pay attention to any potential warnings. Alcohol consumption can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.
This is because the liver has to work to remove the alcohol from the blood instead of managing blood sugar levels. Alcohol consumption can also lead to situational unawareness of low blood sugar levels. Some of the symptoms of low blood sugar levels are similar to those of consuming too much alcohol.
confusion sleepinessblurry vision headaches lightheadedness or dizzinesslack of coordinationunconsciousness
Why do alcoholics have low blood sugar?
Why Alcohol Causes Hypoglycemia – The relationship between alcohol and blood sugar is complex. It would seem counterintuitive at first to think that alcohol causes hypoglycemia. The reason is that alcohol contains a lot of sugar, so it would seem like it would cause a spike in blood sugar, rather than a decline.
- But there’s more to it than that.
- So, how does alcohol cause hypoglycemia? A lot of it has to do with the liver.
- Your liver is an integral part of regulating your blood glucose levels.
- Throughout the day, your liver releases glucose into the blood at a steady rate.
- However, drinking can cause the liver to be unable to release glucose into the blood effectively.
The excess sugar in alcoholic drinks also causes the pancreas to release extra insulin, which lowers levels of blood sugar. With alcohol and hypoglycemia, the risks can be particularly severe if you binge drink and you haven’t eaten within six hours. This makes it even more difficult for your liver to make new glucose because it doesn’t have the necessary materials.
People with diabetes are at increased risk if they are drinking and fall asleep without checking blood sugar. If you do this, you may experience hypoglycemia overnight. There is some belief that hypoglycemia also plays a role in the experience of alcohol withdrawal that alcoholics have when they stop drinking.
For example, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include confusion, irritability, shaking, nervousness, weakness and fatigue, which can also be symptoms of hypoglycemia. So, what else should you know about alcohol and hypoglycemia? First, if you have diabetes, you should be very careful with your drinking because consuming more than a moderate amount of alcohol can prove dangerous.
- Alcoholism and excessive alcohol intake can cause problems in the functionality of most parts of your body.
- For example, you may not only have liver problems, but you could have kidney or adrenal gland problems because of excessive alcohol use.
- Hypoglycemia can also develop as the result of these issues.
Also, alcohol use can impact the pancreas, which plays an essential role in keeping blood sugar levels balanced. If you are experiencing a link between alcohol and hypoglycemia, the best thing you can do is cut down or stop drinking altogether and work toward consuming a balanced diet that will restore your health, address any nutritional deficiencies and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Editor – Nicole LaNeve Nicole leads a team of passionate, experienced writers, editors and other contributors to create and share accurate, trustworthy information about drug and alcohol addiction, treatment and recovery for The Recovery Village and all Advanced Recovery Systems sites. Read more Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Conor Sheehy, PharmD, BCPS, CACP Dr. Sheehy completed his BS in Molecular Biology at the University of Idaho and went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Washington in Seattle. Read more Medical Disclaimer The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes.
Why should diabetics stay away from alcohol?
Summary – Occasional episodes of alcohol consumption generally do not worsen blood sugar control in people with diabetes and may even have beneficial effects. Regular consumption of even moderate amounts of alcohol (i.e., two to four drinks per day), however, clearly interferes with diabetic blood sugar control and increases the risk of impotence; peripheral neuropathy; and, possibly, retinopathy.
At the same time, similar levels of alcohol consumption are associated with a decreased risk of heart attacks and death from cardiovascular disease. The latter findings, however, were obtained with populations that included diabetics as well as nondiabetics, thereby limiting researchers’ ability to apply those findings to diabetics.
Accordingly, more studies are needed to determine whether the beneficial effects of daily moderate alcohol consumption outweigh the deleterious effects. Diabetics clearly should avoid heavy drinking (i.e., more than 10 to 12 drinks per day), because it can cause ketoacidosis and hypertriglyceridemia.
Is it harder to quit sugar or alcohol?
Studies show that sugar can be as difficult to quit as drugs and alcohol.
How long does it take for your blood sugar to return to normal?
Your blood sugar level rises immediately after eating a meal or snack (Figure 2). In a healthy person, insulin then starts working, and the blood sugar level returns to the pre-meal level 2 hours after eating. In untreated diabetes patients, the blood sugar level does not return to the pre-meal level of its own accord.