You may want to ask for wine instead of beer the next time you’re planning to have a drink.
People with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) often wonder about the consequences of alcohol consumption. Alcohol can not only affect your blood sugar, it also comes packed with empty calories that can affect your weight.
Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean that alcohol is completely off limits. Certain alcohols can be included in your diet and might even come with a few health benefits when enjoyed in moderation.
Diabetes and Alcohol: Benefits
Moderate consumption of alcohol can come with a few health benefits.
1. Improves Good Cholesterol (HDL)
Alcohol can increase your HDL levels or “good” cholesterol, which is needed by the body to remove “bad” cholesterol or LDL. A healthy level of HDL in the body reduces the risk of developing certain heart diseases while low levels of HDL do the opposite.
It’s important, however, that individuals with diabetes be mindful of their consumption to avoid unnecessary weight gain.
2. Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Some research has indicated that individuals with diabetes who drink in moderation could see a small improvement in insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity is a measure of how sensitive the body is to insulin.
When you are insulin sensitive, your body will need a smaller amount of insulin to lower blood glucose compared to an individual who is insulin resistant.
3. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that women with type 2 diabetes who engaged in moderate alcohol consumption were slightly healthier and had a lower risk of developing heart disease than those who did not consume alcohol.
However, alcohol, if consumed, should only be done in moderation and, in this case, no more than 1 drink a day for women.
Diabetes and Alcohol: Side-effects
Alcohol does come with negative effects on your body, especially on blood sugar levels.
1. Causes Hypoglycemia
Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach, especially if you have low blood glucose. The alcohol will only cause an increase in low blood glucose, which leads to hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood glucose levels drop. Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia right after alcohol consumption and can last for up to 24 hours. It is imperative that you check your blood sugar levels before drinking, during drinking, before you go to bed, and for the next 24 hours.
Have a healthy dinner or a snack that contains carbohydrates if you are planning on consuming alcohol.
2. Interacts with Medication
People with diabetes are on different types of medications to regulate their insulin and blood glucose. Alcohol consumption affects our blood sugar levels by either elevating them or lowering them.
This could be an issue when alcohol and medication clash and cause blood sugar levels to drop, leaving the individual with hypoglycemia or in insulin shock. Patients in these circumstances need to be rushed to the hospital or attended to by a medical professional immediately.
3. Affects the Liver
Your liver is the essential part of the body that helps remove toxins and wastes along with keeping blood sugar levels in check.
When alcohol is consumed, the liver has to work towards removing alcohol from the blood and move away from working to regulating glucose levels. This becomes an issue when blood glucose is already on the lower side and could lead to hypoglycemia.
Moderation is Key
The trick to maintaining a healthy balance between diabetes and alcohol consumption is moderation.
A few tips and advice to take away:
- Do not drink on an empty stomach
- Limit yourself
- Do not drink more than 1 glass per day if you are a woman, and 2 glasses per day if you are a man
- Choose a calorie-free drink and avoid sugary sodas and juices
- Check your blood sugar regularly while you are out drinking
- Make sure your blood sugar is at a regular, safe level before you go to bed after a night out
Diabetes can be controlled or even reversed (type 2) if you strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
If you have never been fond of drinking, or do not drink at all, now is not the time to start. Make an appointment with your doctor for his or her advice on whether you can consume alcohol and which types are safe to have in moderation.
The content of this Website is for is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References:
Diabetes and Alcohol. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/drinking-alcohol
HDL Cholesterol: The Good Cholesterol. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/hdl-cholesterol-the-good-cholesterol#1
Solomon, C. G., Hu, F. B., Stampfer, M. J., Colditz, G. A., Speizer, F. E., Rimm, E. B., . . . Manson, J. E. (2000, August 01). Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Among Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/102/5/494.full
Huang, J., Wang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2016, June 17). Specific types of alcoholic beverage consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Retrieved April 14, 2018, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jdi.12537
Alcohol. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/alcohol.html
(n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from https://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/insulin-sensitivity.html
7 Facts about Diabetes and Alcohol Use. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/facts-diabetes-alcohol#1
What to Know About Alcohol and Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/food-to-eat/nutrition/what-to-know-about-alcohol-and-diabetes?page=2
