INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
Alcohol and Diabetes
It is not necessary to impose a total ban on drinking alcohol if you have diabetes. Drinking alcohol
in moderation is usually permissible. However, it is important to know how alcohol works in your
body, and the effect that alcohol will have on your diabetes.
Important Stuff to Know
Your liver performs many functions. Most of us know that the liver is involved in dealing with the
alcohol you drink. What many people don’t know is that the liver is very important in stabilising
and maintaining blood sugar levels as well.
To be able to stabilise your blood sugar, the liver keeps a store of
“glycogen”, which is a special form of glucose. When your blood
sugar drops low, the liver usually releases small amounts of glucose
into your blood, to stabilise the level. This prevents a condition called
“hypoglycaemia” (low blood sugar), which can be dangerous.
So what is the problem with alcohol?
Alcohol is seen by the body and the liver as a toxin. As a result,
when you drink alcohol, your liver goes into overdrive to metabolise
the alcohol as quickly as possible. It tries to get rid of the alcohol quickly.
The main problem is that when the liver is dealing with alcohol, it “forgets” to deal with stabilising
your blood sugar levels. This may lead to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels).
For those of you who occasionally have a few alcoholic drinks, this is the reason why you may
feel hungry after a few drinks!
Drinking alcohol can therefore significantly affect your blood sugar levels.
pointers that will help you understand the effects that alcohol can have.
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Below are some
It may take many hours to clear the alcohol from your body, so if you drink during the
evening, you may be at risk of hypoglycaemia during the night as well as in the early part
of the next day.
Sleeping late can be dangerous the morning after a night of drinking. This is because it
takes the liver a long time to break down the alcohol and therefore increases the risk of a
delayed severe hypoglycaemia.
The hypoglycaemia effect is made worse when you have done exercise such as playing
soccer or going for a run the day before and then enjoy sharing a bottle of wine
afterwards! People who go clubbing will be dancing and drinking, with similar results.
Your Partner in Diabetes
South Africa +27 11 053 4400
www.cdediabetes.co.za
Page 1
INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
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Alcohol impairs your judgement. Many of the early warning symptoms of low blood sugars
like dizziness, staggering walk, confusion, or passing out are also signs of having had too
much alcohol to drink. People around you may think your behaviour is from the effects of
too much alcohol rather than low blood glucose and they may not seek help for you. Since
you are unable to treat yourself and at worst, you become unconscious, this is a very
dangerous situation.
So what should be done to minimise the problems?
1. As a general rule of thumb it is good idea to try and eat something before going to bed. It
is preferable to have something that is slowly released such as milk or even potato crisps
- these tend to give a slow release over several hours.
2. Try to aim for a blood glucose level before bed, of around 10 mmol/l .
3. You can also reduce your night-time insulin by 2-4 units.
4. Plan ahead before you drink. If you drink a lot of alcohol and do exercise, work out what
adjustments to make before you go out.
Do different drinks have a different effect?
Some alcoholic drinks contain carbohydrate and therefore will raise your blood glucose initially.
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Alco-pops like Bacardi Breezer™, Brutal Fruit™, Smirnoff Spin™, Storm™.
Beers and ciders
Sweet wines, sherry, liqueurs, Cocktails
These tend to have the initial effect of raising the blood glucose followed by the lowering
effect as described above.
Other drinks do not cause an initial rise in blood glucose.
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Wine and spirits
These also tend to have a greater delayed lowering effect.
Other drinks, like Shooters, are high in alcohol and care should be taken.
Important: Binge drinking should be avoided. It is better to have one drink per day as opposed to
7 drinks in one day!
Myths and Misconceptions – what NOT to believe
1. Alcohol is a good way to lower your blood glucose if it is too high. Not true! This a not a
good way to lower your blood glucose levels
2. Your liver will always be able to get you out of a hypo, regardless of whether or not there
is alcohol in the system. Also not true! The liver can only deliver glucose if it is able to do
so, and if it has sufficient stored glucose (glycogen).
Your Partner in Diabetes
South Africa +27 11 053 4400
www.cdediabetes.co.za
Page 2
INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
Goals and Recommendations – Be SMART
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Alcohol impairs judgement. Think ahead when you know drinking alcohol is involved. Set
your limits and stick to them.
Alcohol may create high spikes in blood glucose levels. Monitor your blood glucose levels
before, during and after drinking.
If you experience low blood glucose, treat it quickly. Make sure a friend knows how to test
your blood glucose and how to resolve a low glucose in
case you cannot think or speak for yourself.
Always be aware of the effects of alcohol and more
specifically make it a goal to know the different effects
of alcohol on your blood glucose levels.
Try not to exceed 1-2 alcohol units per day.
Try not to drink too frequently, make it an occasional event.
Be aware of the effects and always keep hypo treatment at hand.
List some personal goals that you can try and achieve
Personal Goal
S (specific)
By When
M (measurable)
A (achievable)
R (realistic)
T (time based)
Take Home Messages – What to Remember
 Adults with diabetes can drink moderate amounts of alcohol if they aim to eat food at the
same time.
 Drinks should be limited to 1 alcohol unit per day for women and 2 for men.
 Make sure people around you know that you have diabetes and wear a medic alert
bracelet.
 Check your blood glucose before going to sleep.
 Have a carbohydrate containing snack before bed.
 Try not to sleep late, rather set an alarm and wake up early to test.
 Try not to drink on an empty stomach.
 Be cautious when alcohol and exercise are combined.
 Be aware that the glucagon injection is less effective when alcohol is in the system.
 Never drink and drive.
Your Partner in Diabetes
South Africa +27 11 053 4400
www.cdediabetes.co.za
Page 3