Don’t Sink Into Your Drink, Else You Might Be At the Brink of Increased Glucose Levels

Drinking with Diabetes Might Lead to Hypoglycemia

​Alcohol, in general, is harmful for health and it’s a universal truth. But, what kind of impact it has on blood sugar levels is a very big question mark that needs careful deliberation. These days, most individuals are social or occasional drinkers. Having diabetes doesn’t make a tremendous difference in such cases—this is mainly because drinking is a rarity with such people. But, for those who consume alcoholic beverages regularly, once diagnosed with the disease, it is commonly seen that diabetics reduce their intake by more than 50% compared to other adults. Why so and what’s the advantage of restricting its intake on blood sugar levels?
 
Question Yourself
 
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that you ask the three below-mentioned questions to yourself:
 

• Do I have a good control over diabetes?
• Am I aware of how alcohol can affect my blood sugar levels and myself?
• Is my healthcare professional ok with me consuming alcohol?

 
Internal Changes that Result After Alcohol Consumption
 
It is a well-known fact that alcoholic beverages have no nutritional value but only add empty calories to the body that can significantly increase the waistline. Overweight/obesity is a grave risk factor for diabetes. But, what’s not so well-known is the fact that these beverages can also be overloaded with sugar. A pint of the drink contains up to 5-6 tbsp of sugar which is the ultimatum given by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a day’s consumption of sugar. Overconsumption of alcohol not only increase glucose levels but also can result in alcohol-related diabetes.
 
The liver keeps producing glucose which is sent to the bloodstream. In this way, the chances of a low sugar level are minimized. But consuming alcohol rattles out the whole process—the breaking down of alcohol in the liver results in the formation of substances which block the glucose production. Due to this, the blood glucose levels fall considerably increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. This problem is common in occasional drinkers who suffer from fatigue and light-headedness. In regular drinkers, the entire process of glucose production, the hormones that regulate it, and effectiveness of insulin are affected resulting in higher blood glucose levels.
 
A single drink might not have a debilitating effect on the overall sugar levels but anything more than that can raise blood sugar levels, especially beverages such as beers, wines, and sherries. The levels rise and in some time, they drop steadily (this often occurs while sleeping) resulting in hypoglycemia.
 
Is It a Safe Bet to Drink in Small Quantities?
 
Sometimes, there is a possibility that the alcohol you drink interacts with some medications. Hence, even before starting to think about drinking, it is recommended that you meet with the doctor and ensure that the alcohol doesn’t interfere with any of your medical conditions or the medicines that you consume.
 
Besides affecting insulin levels, diabetics consuming alcohol are at an increased risk of high triglyceride levels, diabetic nerve problems, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetic eye disease. Individuals with diabetes can drink but with a few do’s and don’ts:
 
Do’s

• Drink slowly and drink only with food
• Drink the beverage mixing with water or soda
• Stay hydrated while planning to have a drink
• Test blood sugar levels often as alcohol consumption commonly makes it harder to judge the symptoms of low blood sugar levels

 
Don’ts
 

• Drink beyond one drink in the case of women and two drinks for men as per ADA recommendations
• Avoid sweet wines or sugary mixers
• Rush the drink but have it slowly
• Drink on an empty stomach

 
The Bottomline
 
Though individuals with diabetes needn’t give up on alcohol completely, it is always recommended to minimize alcoholic intake for you own health. It’s no hazard in enjoying a drink or two but do it with proper guidelines and in moderation. Alcoholic intake might be off the limit for some individuals and this can be understood only if you discuss with your healthcare provider. Try to choose the beverage wisely—maybe a light beer, a dry wine instead of a sparkling wine, and the right mixers.
 
Though one glass of wine might not ruin the health immediately, for some individuals, especially those suffering from diabetes-related long-term problems, it is better to avoid alcohol consumption altogether. Occasional consumption of alcoholic beverages doesn’t put individuals at high risks but moderate/regular (more than 2-4 drinks) consumption affects blood sugar levels badly. Even otherwise, these drinks are overloaded with calories intensifying weight gain chances which once again is a risk factor for diabetes.
 
So, just go for the occasional cocktail or wine, follow the tips and tricks to stay fit, and keep blood glucose levels under control eventually.