Alcohol and Diabetes
People with diabetes need to be very careful with their alcohol
intake. Everyone with diabetes should check with their medical
provider to determine if it is safe to drink and how much they
can consume.
How your body breaks down alcohol
When you drink, alcohol goes from the stomach straight to the
bloodstream. From the blood stream it goes to the liver where
it is slowly broken down. The faster you drink alcohol, the
faster you will feel drunk. Consuming more than three drinks a
day can result in liver failure and other problems.
Drinking alcohol can raise your blood sugar when you mix your
drink with fruit juice or sugary mixers. Examples of drinks high
in sugar are:
• Daiquiris
• Margaritas
• Ice cream drinks
• Liqueurs
• Port wines
It is best to skip these drinks.
Alcohol can also lower your blood sugar. If you take insulin
or diabetic pills, you could have low blood sugar if you drink
alcohol. The liver keeps your blood sugar from going too
low by releasing glucose into the bloodstream. If you drink
alcohol this does not happen because the liver is breaking
down the alcohol.
Over time, too much drinking can hurt your liver because it
will not be able to make glucose. Your diabetes will be harder
to control as a result. The best way to treat your low blood
sugar is with simple carbs such as a small apple or a glass of
milk. If you’re feeling dizzy, weak or shaky, seek medical help
right away.
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Most diabetics are on a carbohydrate controlled
food plan. If you are and want an alcoholic drink
once in a while, these drinks are better choices
because they are lower in sugar and alcohol:
• Distilled liquors such as gin, vodka or whiskey
with sugar free mixers such as diet soda diet
tonic, club soda, seltzer or water
• Light beer
• Dry wines or wine spritzers (wine mixed with
sparking water, club soda or diet soda)
Alcohol is off limits to those people who have
nerve damage from diabetes. Drinking makes
nerve damage worse by increasing numbness
pain and tingling. If you have diabetic eye
problems heavy drinking can make it worse.
Before drinking remember these tips:
• Check with your medical provider to see if you
can drink
• Drink only when your diabetes is in control
• Limit your drinking to 1/day for women and
2/day for men (talk with your medical provider
to see if you can drink)
• Eat before you drink
• Use a sugar free mixer
• Check your blood sugar after you drink
• Wear a medical ID so people know you are
a diabetic
If you have high levels of fat in your blood, also
known as triglycerides, you should not drink.
Drinking will change how the liver gets rid of the
fat from the blood. Alcohol also causes the liver
to make more fat.
If you have any questions about alcohol and diabetes, call Member Services.
The phone number to call is 1-888-FHN-4YOU (346-4968) or talk to
your medical provider.
References
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/alcohol.html
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)