Although many across the world drink alcohol for its social appeal, those with diabetes are concerned about how it might affect their diabetes risk. Does alcohol have the power to increase diabetes risk? How about the idea that moderate drinking could be good for us? Clear, based-on-evidence information helps us guide you to make the best healthcare choices.
We explain in this article how alcohol affects your diabetes risk, what science reveals and tips to stay safe with drinking.
How Alcohol Affects Your Blood Sugar and Diabetes Risk
There are many ways in which your body’s metabolism is influenced by alcohol that can disrupt blood sugar control and how your body responds to insulin.
Impact on Blood Sugar Levels
Drinking alcohol may cause your blood sugar to behave in unexpected ways. When you drink on an empty stomach, the rapid drop in blood sugar may put people with diabetes and those using insulin or sulfonylureas in danger. Drinking too much alcohol can make your blood sugar rise because of the calories and what it does to your liver.
Effect on Insulin Sensitivity
In a number of studies, drinking alcohol in moderation has been found to help improve the body’s response to insulin, lowering diabetes risk. Heavy or binge drinking helps destroy pancreatic cells and raises insulin resistance, increasing your risk.
Weight Gain and Calorie Intake
Too much alcohol may cause you to add weight by supplying empty calories. Because too much weight can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes, drinking lots of sugary beverages can make you more likely to develop the disease.
Inflammation and Liver Health
Heavy drinking over a long period of time can lead to liver inflammation and fatty liver disease which increase your risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
What Does the Research Say?
● Drinking a small amount daily seems to decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes for some people
● Drinking heavily or in binges may lead to diabetes and worsen diabetes for those who are already diagnosed.
● How often someone drinks, the drinks they consume and their overall health are important factors.
Tips for Drinking Safely if You’re Concerned About Diabetes
● Follow health recommendations and don’t drink too many alcoholic beverages.
● Don’t drink if you haven’t eaten first to reduce your risk of blood sugar problems from alcohol.
● If you have diabetes or prediabetes, keep careful watch on your blood sugar and take medication as directed by your doctor.
● Be upfront about how much alcohol you use to receive specific advice from your healthcare professionals.
● Pick drinks that are lower in calories and leave out drinks with added sugar to help you reduce your calories.
How Avant Medical Group Can Help
At Avant Medical Group, we ensure every patient with diabetes gets personalized care from our diabetes specialists that includes how alcohol affects their health. Our experts in endocrinology, diabetes education and nutrition help you understand your risks and provide suitable strategies to handle your blood sugar.
We provide counseling services that help with managing chronic conditions like diabetes, control alcohol intake, eat healthy and manage stress. A plan created just for you gives you the knowledge to make healthy choices that boost your life for years to come.
Support and education will always be available from us at Avant Medical Group as you work on meeting your diabetes management goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans: Research suggests that moderate drinking may improve insulin sensitivity and lower diabetes risk for some individual; however, these results differ widely depending on genetic types, health status, and lifestyle. Don’t use alcohol as a preventive measure without consulting your healthcare provider.
Ans: Moderate drinking means not more than one drink a day for women and not more than two drinks a day for men. One standard drink refers to about 14 g of pure alcohol which corresponds to about 5 oz of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits.
Ans: Yes. The person on the diabetes medications has to be quite careful on blood sugar monitoring due to unpredictable blood sugar changes caused by alcohol. It may also increase the risk of hypoglycemia due to interactions with hypoglycemia.
Ans: So limiting or not using alcohol often is encouraged in prediabetes since alcohol is also a contributor to obesity and insulin resistance which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
Ans: We would provide customized education on safe use of alcohol, allow for close monitoring, provide medication adjustments, and provide lifestyle support to help clients enable them to enjoy alcohol responsibly with optimal control of diabetes.
Conclusion
It’s hard to say exactly how alcohol affects diabetes risks. While drinking a little alcohol could be harmless, drinking too much definitely increases your risk and complicates how you manage diabetes. Knowing these effects helps you select meals that are good for you.
If you worry about how alcohol could affect your diabetes, Avant Medical Group will give you expert advice and support. Schedule a chat with us now to set up a consultation and manage your healthcare.