If you have diabetes, you must control what you consume as an essential part of your continued health. Knowing the sugar content of what goes in your body can save your life. The calorie and sugar content of alcohol depends on the ingredients used to make it and the mixers used to prepare the alcoholic drink. Regardless of the specific alcoholic drinks, you should limit alcoholic drinks if you're a diabetic.
Alcohol and Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association recommends that women with diabetes consume one or fewer alcoholic beverages a day and men with diabetes consume two or fewer alcoholic beverages per day. Additionally, diabetics should always try to consume any alcohol with food. Alcohol can have a dangerous effect on diabetics. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar levels and can cause hypoglycemia. Always make sure you know your sugar levels before consuming any alcohol. Avoid alcohol until you have your diabetes under control. Because your body views alcohol as a toxin, your body will try to get rid of any alcohol as soon as possible. After you drink alcohol, your liver will stop producing glucose until it takes care of the perceived danger from the alcohol.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index measures the extent that a carbohydrate raises blood glucose. A food with high GI, will raise the blood glucose level in your body more than a food with low GI. Diabetics can use the GI to help with blood glucose management. Alcoholic drinks, however, score zero on the GI scale. In other words, alcohol does not raise your blood glucose levels.
Carbs and Alcohol
Different types of alcoholic drinks contain varying amounts of carbohydrates. For example, beer and sweet wine are both high in carbohydrates. Most alcoholic drinks contain some carbohydrates. The fermentation process that makes alcohol will always add some residual sugar to the alcohol. This residual sugar takes the form of carbohydrates. Because your body breaks down carbohydrates into sugar, you need to monitor the carbohydrates you consume, including carbohydrates from alcohol. Distilled alcoholic beverages such as vodka and tequila contain the fewest amount of carbohydrates and, therefore, provide the best option for a diabetic who wants to consume an alcoholic drink.
If You Must Drink
If you choose to drink alcohol, follow the guidelines recommended by the American Diabetes Association. If cocktails are your drink of choice, use sugar-free mixers. Consume your beverage slowly with a non-caloric drink on the side, such as soda water. When you drink, remember to wear your diabetes bracelet or have an ID on you that identifies you as a diabetic. Alcohol will dehydrate you, so make sure you continue to replenish fluids in your body.
