Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder of the body. The disease is characterized by the body's inability to process insulin, the hormone that transports sugars (called glucose) to cells. Glucose is the body's main source of fuel. Because diabetics need to inject or monitor insulin levels, foods and beverages that easily convert to sugar in the body, such as beer, can affect glucose levels and have dangerous side effects.
Over-Indulging
One of the biggest myths about diabetes is that it only affects those who eat a lot of sugar---and beer is not a sweet beverage. The Mayo Clinic reports, "Just about everything you eat is converted into glucose---sugar---so for most people with type 2 diabetes, what you eat is not as important as how much you eat." This goes for what you drink as well.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body's fuel. Carbs, however, are converted into glucose, which diabetics cannot metabolize well. Everyone need carbs, even diabetics. In fact, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that carbohydrates comprise 50 percent of a diabetic's diet. According to the USDA's National Nutrient Database, a regular can of beer has more than 12.5 grams of carbs. The amount of carbs a person should consume daily varies widely based on a number of variables such as age, weight and height. A broad number of carbs a person should eat daily is about 180 grams.
Diabetes Medications
The medications you are on to control your diabetes, whether it's insulin or sulfonylureas and meglitinides to lower blood glucose, can be affected by beer. The ADA recommends avoiding beer, and all alcohol if your blood glucose is low and if your stomach is empty.
Hypoglycemia
Dr. Irl Hirsch, professor of Medicine in the division of metabolism, endocrinology and nutrition at the University of Washington School of Medicine, says, "People who have diabetes have to be careful with their alcohol intake." One of the most common causes of hypoglycemia, he points out, is consuming alcohol.
Alcohol, like beer, stops the liver from producing glucose. When glucose levels in the body drop exponentially, the person can become dizzy, nauseous, their words may slur, they could even become unresponsive and if not quickly treated, fall into a coma. Once a person is hypoglycemic, they are not able to self medicate, or even communicate what is wrong. And because the symptoms of hypoglycemia mimic inebriation, unless the person is wearing a medical ID bracelet indicating that they are diabetic, people won't know to treat them for diabetes.
It's not All Bad
Charles Bamworth, from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis, says "the majority of beers on the market contain relatively low levels of carbohydrates," and "in moderation, can be part of a low-carb diet and potentially a good source of soluble fiber." Meaning that beer is not made of empty calories because fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. That's not to say that beer is a health food. Beer still has a lot of calories.
Ultimately, what diabetics need to keep in mind is that any food can affect their glucose levels---even beer.
