A person with diabetes does not necessarily have to be a teetotaler. The enjoyment of an alcoholic beverage requires careful planning and doctor guidance when diabetes is an issue. Special precautions may need to be taken to make sure that drinking alcohol does not lead to weight gain or serious outcomes such as low blood sugar.
Alcohol in the Body
Alcohol is broken down by the liver. In addition to breaking down alcohol, the liver makes a type of sugar called glucose, an important source of energy for the body. Glucose also comes from food.
When the liver is busy breaking down alcohol, this can cause it to make less glucose, causing blood sugar levels to drop. Low blood sugar levels is called hypoglycemia. If levels drop too low, this can lead to dangerous outcomes such as fainting, seizures and coma.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia and being intoxicated are similar. They include, feeling sleepy, dizzy or confused. Symptoms for hypoglycemia can be mistaken for drunkenness and be hard to distinguish. This can dangerously create confusion about the need for medical care.
Diabetes Medications
It is even important for people taking diabetes medicines to be mindful when drinking alcohol. These medicines work by stimulating an organ called the pancreas to make more insulin. Insulin decreases blood sugar levels. With both insulin and alcohol lowering blood sugar levels, it is more likely that hypoglycemia may occur, according to Joslin Diabetes Center.
Weight Gain
Maintaining a healthy weight is a part of managing diabetes. Making sure that both weight and diabetes are under control may requires an awareness of how many calories will be consumed. Alcohol contains calories, so drinking can add extra calories to a meal plan or diet and lead to weight gain.
Measuring Blood Sugar
If a doctor gives permission to drink alcohol, the patient should do so responsibly. When drinking, it is vital for the diabetic to eat something first or eat while drinking. According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, drinking on an empty stomach can lower blood sugar to very low levels.
It is also a good idea to use a meter to check blood glucose levels before drinking and to check it again before going to bed to make sure it is at a safe level, usually 100 to 140 mg/dL. If blood glucose is very low---below 70 mg/dl---something should be eaten to raise it.
Tips When Drinking
Being aware and planning ahead before drinking can help prevent serious conditions and help manage diabetes. The American Diabetes Association offers some tips on responsible drinking for people with diabetes. These include limiting the amount consumed to no more than one alcoholic beverage a day for women and no more than two for men. It is also beneficial to avoid having mixed drinks since they are high in sugar and calories; diet soda, club soda or water as mixers are better choices. No-calorie beverages and wine spritzers are also good drink options. Wine spritzers are lower in alcohol content compared to wine. Wearing a medical ID bracelet will be useful in an emergency.
References
- American Diabetes Association: What can I eat? Alcohol.
- Joslin Diabetes Center: Diabetes and alcohol
- MayoClinic.com: Alcohol and diabetes
- Joslin Diabetes Center: Fitting alcohol into your meal plan
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health: Hypoglycemia
