Drinking alcohol when you have diabetes carries some risks, this is because alcohol can interfere with the way the body uses blood sugar and can also interfere with certain diabetes medications.
Alcohol can lead to higher blood sugar levels or levels that are too low.
It is possible that people with diabetes can drink alcohol taking into account some measures for safe consumption, some of them are moderation, checking blood sugar level frequently and not drinking on an empty stomach.
Risk of hypoglycemia
The American Diabetes Association ( ADA) points out that the greatest concern when consuming alcohol when you have diabetes is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
“The problem with alcohol is that the liver is not good for perform multiple tasks. The liver will choose to metabolize alcohol rather than maintain blood sugar. The liver stops releasing glucose, as a result, the blood sugar level can drop rapidly.
Medline Plus notes that injecting insulin or taking certain types of diabetes medication can cause a reduction severe blood sugar. Consuming alcohol without eating at the same time can also increase this risk.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
Among the symptoms of hypoglycemia are difficulty speaking, drowsiness, confusion or difficulty walking, they are also symptoms of drunkenness and can be difficult to differentiate between them.
The risk of low level of blood sugar remains for hours after taking the last drink. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk. Also, being drunk makes it harder to recognize low blood sugar symptoms.
Increase in blood sugar levels
Some alcoholic beverages such as beer and sugary mixed drinks are high in carbohydrates, which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
The ADA notes that high-carbohydrate beverages may seem like the choice when you’re at risk for hypoglycemia, however, it’s more complicated than that. “The body quickly absorbs liquid sugars, so those carbohydrates will not be of much help in preventing or treating a low level that can occur hours after drinking.”
General recommendations for alcohol consumption when you have diabetes.
Although there is no universal rule on how to drink alcohol safely when living with diabetes, there are some recommendations general to consider:
Check your blood sugar level often. Before starting to drink alcohol, while drinking, a few hours after drinking and until 24 hours after stopping drinking.
Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach or when blood glucose is low. Drinking alcohol with a meal or snack rich in carbohydrates will help keep blood sugar levels normal.
Consume alcohol in moderation. No more than two drinks per day for men and one drink for women. One drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer (5% strength). alcohol), five ounces of wine (12% alcohol), 1.5 ounces of spirits: gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, etc. (80 degrees or 40% of alcohol content).
Opt for “light” beers: Diabetes Food Hub notes that these beers are the lowest in carbohydrates (generally 5 grams or less per serving), calories, and alcohol.
Drink slowly. Do not consume more than one drink per hour.
Have a source of sugar such as glucose tablets, in case sugar levels drop.
Do not exercise if you have drunk alcohol. Exercising increases the risk of low blood sugar levels.
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