Diabetes and Alcohol Bad Combination

Dr. Eric Berg 08/12/2024

Diabetes and alcohol can be a dangerous combination. Many people don’t realize how even small amounts of alcohol can affect blood glucose levels, especially for those managing diabetes.

If you have diabetes, or are at risk, understanding this relationship is crucial for your health. This article aims to shed light on the interaction between diabetes and alcohol and provides practical tips to help you make informed choices about drinking alcohol.

The Impact of Diabetes and Alcohol on Your Body

Alcohol and blood sugar interact in complex ways. When you drink alcohol, your liver prioritizes processing it over regulating blood sugar. This can lead to a drop in blood sugar, which can be particularly dangerous for those on insulin or medications that stimulate insulin production.

This effect is stronger with sugary drinks like cocktails and sweet wines, as they deliver a double dose of sugar to your system. This is why alcoholic drinks impact blood sugar levels so much.

Man refusing a drink

Alcohol and Blood Sugar Control

For individuals with diabetes, managing blood sugar is paramount, and alcohol consumption can make this challenging. Here's a breakdown of why:

Impaired Insulin Production: Your pancreas plays a crucial role in producing insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. Alcohol can interfere with this process. Over time, excessive alcohol intake can damage pancreatic cells, potentially contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes or worsening insulin resistance in those who already have it.
B Vitamin Depletion: Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output. This can flush out essential nutrients, including B vitamins, which are crucial for converting food into energy and supporting nerve function. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, often linked to alcohol misuse, can exacerbate diabetic neuropathy symptoms, leading to pain, tingling, and numbness in the extremities.

Long-Term Effects and Risks of Alcohol Consumption

Repeated disruptions to blood sugar management can increase the risk of long-term diabetes complications, including:

Cardiovascular Disease: People with diabetes already have an increased risk of heart problems, and alcohol consumption can further elevate that risk. This makes having high blood sugar even more risky.
Nerve Damage: Excessive alcohol intake can damage nerves throughout the body, potentially leading to diabetic neuropathy, a condition characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling, typically in the hands and feet. This is on top of existing nerve damage caused by chronically elevated blood sugar.
Liver Problems: As your liver works hard to process alcohol, long-term heavy drinking can lead to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis – complications that can be especially severe in individuals with diabetes. Drinking alcohol can put a lot of stress on your body processes.

Tips for Safe Alcohol Consumption With Diabetes

While complete avoidance is ideal, especially for certain individuals, moderate alcohol consumption might be acceptable for some. But, safety should always come first. If you choose to drink, it’s crucial to do so responsibly and minimize risks. Here are a few tips to guide you:

Consult Your Doctor: Before you incorporate alcohol into your diet, have an honest discussion with your doctor. They can assess your individual risk factors, provide personalized advice, and adjust your medication or monitoring plan if necessary. It's important to get diabetes education from a medical center.
Moderation is Key: If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. The American Diabetes Association defines moderation as up to one alcoholic drink per day for women and up to two alcoholic drinks per day for men. One ounce beer has less alcohol content than other alcoholic drinks.
Never Drink on an Empty Stomach: Alcohol is absorbed faster into your bloodstream when consumed without food, leading to rapid blood sugar fluctuations. This can be dangerous, especially if you're taking insulin or certain diabetes medications. To mitigate this risk, always consume alcohol with a meal plan or a substantial snack. Opt for options rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber to help stabilize glucose levels.
Choose Wisely: Select drinks that have a minimal impact on your glucose levels. Dry wines, light beers, and spirits mixed with sugar-free mixers are generally better choices than sugary cocktails, dessert wines, or heavy beers. You also have a greater risk if you rarely drink.
Stay Hydrated: Alongside your alcoholic beverages, drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can exacerbate the effects of alcohol and increase the risk of complications. Staying hydrated is crucial for heart health, especially when consuming alcohol.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar Closely: Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels before, during, and after drinking to understand how alcohol affects you personally. This proactive approach can help you identify patterns, adjust your food intake or medication as needed, and make more informed choices regarding alcohol consumption and overall diabetes management. If you have hypoglycemia unawareness, drinking alcohol could make it worse.

Woman holding a cup of herbal tea

Alternatives to Alcoholic Beverages

If you are looking to avoid the risks of alcohol entirely, but enjoy the social aspect of having a drink, plenty of enjoyable and diabetes-friendly alternatives exist:

Sparkling Water with a Twist: This refreshing and calorie-free option offers the fizz and flavor of alcoholic beverages without the added sugars or blood sugar spikes.
Sugar-Free Sodas and Juices: The market is full of sugar-free beverage choices. These can fulfill those soda cravings without negatively affecting your blood sugar. However, consume them in moderation, as some artificial sweeteners may have potential downsides.
Herbal Teas: Many herbal teas not only offer a soothing and flavorful alternative to alcoholic beverages but also come packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits.

Diabetes & Drinks

Offers essential guidance for those managing diabetes while enjoying the occasional alcoholic beverage. Understanding how alcohol affects blood sugar levels is crucial, as it can cause both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, depending on the type and quantity consumed.

For diabetics, choosing the right drinks is key—opt for low-sugar options like dry wines or spirits mixed with sugar-free mixers.

Additionally, many wonder, is keto good for diabetics? The ketogenic diet, which emphasizes low-carb, high-fat foods, can be beneficial for blood sugar control and weight management in diabetics.

However, combining alcohol with a keto diet requires careful planning, as both can lower blood sugar levels. By selecting keto-friendly alcohol options and monitoring blood sugar closely, diabetics can safely enjoy their drinks without compromising their health.

Conclusion

Navigating the relationship between diabetes and alcohol requires understanding and caution. Excessive alcohol consumption, especially for those managing diabetes, can lead to complications impacting blood sugar control and overall health.

However, you can make informed choices to manage both effectively by following practical tips such as choosing lower-sugar drinks, drinking in moderation, monitoring your blood sugar, and prioritizing hydration.

Ultimately, making responsible decisions will contribute to better health outcomes and potentially prevent serious health risks associated with diabetes and alcohol.