How Does Alcohol Affect My Blood Sugar Levels?
It is not uncommon to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or to have drinks after work with friends. Alcohol consumption is very prevalent in the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2014: 87.6 percent of people age 18 and older reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime 71 percent reported drinking in the past year 56.9 percent reported drinking in the past month For many people, a glass of alcohol here and there does not pose a problem. For those with certain health conditions such as diabetes, however, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels and pose a health risk. It is important for them to understand what alcohol is and how it affects blood sugar levels. What is alcohol? Alcohol is made from the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. Fruits, vegetables, additives, and other by-products are added to the alcohol to produce different colors, strengths, tastes, and flavors. It is a depressant and classed as a “sedative-hypnotic drug” because it depresses the central nervous system. Every organ in the body can be affected by alcohol. Once consumed, it is rapidly absorbed by the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. For an average person, the liver can typically break down one standard drink of alcohol per hour. Excess alcohol moves throughout the body. The amount not broken down by the liver is removed by the lungs and kidneys in urine and sweat. Alcohol’s effect on the body How alcohol affects a person’s body depends on how much they consume. At low doses, alcohol can act as a stimulant. People may feel happy, or become talkative. Drinking too much alcohol can impair the body and lead to: Drowsiness Slurred speech Unsteady movements Blurred vision Slowed reaction time Shallow breath Continue reading >>
The Effect Of Evening Alcohol Consumption On Next-morning Glucose Control In Type 1 Diabetes
OBJECTIVE—Alcohol is associated with acute hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. After drinking alcohol in the evening, delayed hypoglycemia has also been described, although its cause is unknown. We performed a controlled study to investigate this phenomenon. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We admitted six men with type 1 diabetes (aged 19–51 years, HbA1c 7.0–10.3%) on two occasions, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 noon the following day. They received regular insulin injections before standardized meals, at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., and a basal insulin infusion (0.15 mU · kg−1 · min−1) from 11:00 p.m. They drank either dry white wine (0.75 g/kg alcohol) or mineral water at 9:00 p.m. over 90 min. Blood glucose, alcohol, insulin, cortisol, growth hormone, and glucagon levels were measured. RESULTS—Blood ethanol reached a mean (SEM) peak of 19.1 (1.2) mmol/l and was undetectable by 8:00 a.m. There were no significant differences in evening or overnight blood glucose levels between the studies. In the morning, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly lower after consumption of wine (postprandial peak 8.9 [1.7] vs. 15 [1.5] mmol/l, P < 0.01), and from 10:00 a.m., five subjects required treatment for hypoglycemia (nadir 1.9–2.9 mmol/l). None of the subjects had hypoglycemia after consumption of water. After consumption of wine, growth hormone secretion was significantly reduced between midnight and 4:00 a.m. (area under the curve 2.1 [1.1] vs. 6.5 [2.1] μg · l–1 · h–1, P = 0.04). There were no differences in insulin or other hormone levels. CONCLUSIONS—In type 1 diabetes, moderate consumption of alcohol in the evening may predispose patients to hypoglycemia after breakfast the next morning. This is associated with reduced noctu Continue reading >>
Diabetes & Alcohol
Although alcohol does have an effect on blood glucose levels, with a few safety measures and careful management, people with diabetes can also enjoy a drink. Does alcohol affect diabetes? People with diabetes have to be extra careful with alcohol. Alcohol can affect diabetes in a few ways: Alcohol increases your chances hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose): Drinking can cause low blood glucose for up to 24 hours after drinking. You need to be especially aware of this if you are taking medication to control your diabetes such as insulin or sulphonylureas such as glicazide and glipizide. Drinking too much alcohol can also affect your ability torecognise or know when your blood glucose is too low: Alcohol can often make you feel lightheaded, dizzy and drowsy, which are similar to the symptoms you may experience if your blood glucose is too low. Having low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) is often confused with being drunk. If you have nerve damage related to diabetes, drinking alcohol can make it worse and increase pain, numbness or the tingling sensation. Alcohol has a high-calorie content, so frequent intake may cause weight gain. Can I drink alcohol if I have diabetes? If you have diabetes, check with your doctor if you are allowed to drink alcohol. If your diabetes is poorly controlled and you have experienced hypoglycaemia often, your doctor may advise that you hold off until your diabetes is better controlled. Tips for drinking with diabetes Limit the quantity of alcohol that you drink. Women should not have more than 2 standard drinks per day. Men should limit their intake to not more than 3 standard drinks per day. (One standard drink is 100 ml wine, 30 mls spirits or 300 mls beer). Avoid binge drinking. Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Always ensure that you dr Continue reading >>
Why Some Sugar-free Products Raise Blood Sugar
In the latest “Really?” column, Anahad O’Connor explores why some foods labeled “sugar free” may still raise blood sugar. The culprits are sugar alcohols that are sometimes paired with artificial sweeteners. He writes: Sugar alcohols get their name from their structure, which looks like a cross between a molecule of alcohol and sugar but is technically neither. Companies have added them to more and more “sugar free” products, like cookies, chewing gum, hard candy and chocolate. For people trying to manage their blood sugar, this can make interpreting nutritional labels a little tricky. While sugar alcohols provide fewer calories than regular sugar — in general about 1.5 to 3 calories per gram, compared with 4 calories per gram of sugar — they can still slightly raise your blood sugar. To learn more, read the full column, “The Claim: Artificial Sweeteners Can Raise Blood Sugar,” then please join the discussion below. Continue reading >>
Alcohol And Nutrition: How Does Alcohol Affect Your Blood Sugar?
The sugar in our blood, also known as blood glucose, is used for growth and energy. Blood glucose comes from the foods that we eat, the breakdown of the glucose stored in our muscles (glycogen), and it can also be made from other nutrients in the body. The primary hormones involved in maintaining a healthy blood glucose level are insulin and glucagon. Normally, when your blood sugar begins to drop, your body can respond by making more blood sugar or burning up stored sugar. And when your blood sugar begins to rise, additional insulin is secreted to bring your levels back to a healthy range. Alcohol is considered a poison by your body, and all efforts are made to excrete it, including the cessation of maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that alcohol interferes with all three sources of glucose and the hormones needed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The greatest impact is seen in those who drink heavily on a frequent basis. Heavy drinkers deplete their glycogen stores within a few hours when their diet does not provide a sufficient amount of carbohydrates. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can decrease insulin’s effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar levels. One study showed that 45% to 70% of people with alcoholic liver disease had either glucose intolerance or diabetes. Alcohol can also negatively impact blood sugar levels each time that it is consumed, regardless of the frequency of consumption. Research has shown that acute consumption increases insulin secretion, causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and can also impair the hormonal response that would normally rectify the low blood sugar. Drinking as little as 2 ounces of alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to very low blood sugar levels. This makes alcohol an eve Continue reading >>
Beer And Diabetes
As beer contains alcohol, it can have an effect on diabetes. There is considerable scientific evidence that alcohol consumption of up to 24 g per day can lower the relative risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 30%. In people with diabetes, moderate alcohol consumption may improve glycaemic control and convey cardiovascular risk reduction and mortality benefits. These effects apply to all alcoholic beverages. Key messages Moderate beer consumption may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, because of the alcohol in beer. Alcohol consumption of up to 24 g per day can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30%, and appears to be more pronounced in women than in men. Increased adiponectin levels, increased insulin sensitivity, reduction of fasting insulin, glycaemic status control, and anti-inflammatory effects, are biological mechanisms that explain this association. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, moderate alcohol consumption can also protect against type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes can also benefit from moderate alcohol consumption, with a lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease and a lower risk of microvascular complications. Diabetes in Europe There are about 60 million people with diabetes in Europe (type 1 and type 2, see box on Background of diabetes), and the prevalence of diabetes is increasing, already reaching 10–12% in some countries. 145 In addition, there is a large suspected number of undiagnosed diabetics. In Europe, about one in three people with diabetes do not know they have it. 146Of those with diabetes, 50% die of cardiovascular disease (primarily coronary heart disease and stroke), and 10–20% die of kidney failure.145,147,148 Alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes risk Population studies show a J-shaped relationship between alco Continue reading >>
- Beer and Diabetes: Can Diabetics Drink Beer? Know the Facts
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- American Diabetes Association® Releases 2018 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, with Notable New Recommendations for People with Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
Low Blood Sugar Levels Cause Alcohol Cravings
One of the things that can easily induce a craving for alcohol is low blood sugar. This can occur after a ‘rush’ of simple carbohydrates (sugar, processed wheat etc.), blood sugar levels quickly increase, then decrease again just as sharply. It can also occur if you haven’t eaten anything for a long time – so don’t let yourself get too hungry! The craving comes about because your body associates drinking alcohol with lots of quickly available carbohydrates, and that’s what it asks you for. So the one thing you need to do when you’re cutting down your alcohol intake, is keep your blood sugar levels fairly balanced. You can prevent the low blood sugar, and hence the craving, by not eating so much sweet or processed food. Eat more fibre-rich whole foods, like wholemeal or granary bread, muesli or granola, fruit instead of chocolate (sorry!). And don’t forget those sugar-packed fizzy drinks, they’ve got to go too. So next time you get a craving for alcohol, eat something instead – you’ll be amazed at how quickly that craving disappears. Just make it something healthy though, OK? Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia And Alcohol
Dear Alice, Are there different sugar levels in different alcoholic beverages? I am hypoglycemic and have noticed different hangover levels contingent on the sugar level of alcohol consumed. Some have told me that Scotch has the least amount of sugar of all alcoholic beverages. Since I occasionally enjoy a drink, I would appreciate knowing the lowest sugar content. Dear Reader, Sugar has a sneaky way of making it into many foods and beverages. Keeping track of how much of the sweet stuff you consume is a healthy habit to get into — especially if you’re also worried about hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). While you’re right that not all alcoholic drinks are created equal, it’s usually not the type of alcohol (for example, scotch, as you mentioned, versus vodka or tequila) that’s contributing to the sugar count. Mixers, on the other hand, such as fruit juices and sodas, can be loaded with sugar, and may be the real culprits behind the differences you notice. To take a pass on a hangover and keep your blood sugar in a safe range, you may want to opt for non-sugary drinks and try to eat plenty of foods with proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates — before, during, and after drinking. Why? Keep reading to find out! So what exactly causes the spikes and dips in your blood sugar (also called blood glucose) after imbibing an alcoholic beverage? Though research is still on-going, one hypothesis is that while the liver is busy processing the alcohol, it isn’t able to store or release glucose into the bloodstream (this can last as long as 16 to 24 hours after your last drink). Imagine a temporary freeze on your body’s glucose account. This leads to acute hypoglycemia and all the uncomfortable symptoms that come with it (such as excessive hunger, headache, s Continue reading >>
How Many Factors Actually Affect Blood Glucose?
A printable, colorful PDF version of this article can be found here. twitter summary: Adam identifies at least 22 things that affect blood glucose, including food, medication, activity, biological, & environmental factors. short summary: As patients, we tend to blame ourselves for out of range blood sugars – after all, the equation to “good diabetes management” is supposedly simple (eating, exercise, medication). But have you ever done everything right and still had a glucose that was too high or too low? In this article, I look into the wide variety of things that can actually affect blood glucose - at least 22! – including food, medication, activity, and both biological and environmental factors. The bottom line is that diabetes is very complicated, and for even the most educated and diligent patients, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of everything that affects blood glucose. So when you see an out-of-range glucose value, don’t judge yourself – use it as information to make better decisions. As a patient, I always fall into the trap of thinking I’m at fault for out of range blood sugars. By taking my medication, monitoring my blood glucose, watching what I eat, and exercising, I would like to have perfect in-range values all the time. But after 13 years of type 1 diabetes, I’ve learned it’s just not that simple. There are all kinds of factors that affect blood glucose, many of which are impossible to control, remember, or even account for. Based on personal experience, conversations with experts, and scientific research, here’s a non-exhaustive list of 22 factors that can affect blood glucose. They are separated into five areas – Food, Medication, Activity, Biological factors, and Environmental factors. I’ve provided arrows to show the ge Continue reading >>
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- Diet drinks and food actually trigger weight gain and diabetes, says new study
How Does Alcohol Affect Diabetes?
You may think beer, wine and liquor would be categorized as food, but in reality, alcohol is a drug. Just like medications, alcohol has powerful physiologic effects on the body and can affect multiple organ systems. Although alcohol affects people without diabetes, it can cause even more pronounced effects in people with the disease. So how does alcohol affect diabetes? In this article we will discuss both the immediate, acute effects of alcohol in diabetics as well as the long-term chronic consequences of alcohol consumption. These effects apply to both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Diabetes Alcohol is metabolized by the body much like fats are metabolized. It also packs almost as many calories. In fact, if you are diabetic and choose to drink alcohol, you should count one serving of alcohol as two fat exchanges. One serving of alcohol is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or ½ ounce of hard alcoholic spirits. When alcohol hits the blood stream it will generally cause blood sugar to increase. This is especially true if mixed drinks with sugary juices or sodas are consumed. It is recommended that a diabetic test their blood sugar both before and after consuming alcohol to measure how it affects the body. Also, diabetics should not consume alcohol on an empty stomach. Taking a drink along with food will slow its entry into the bloodstream. The biggest danger in the short-term from consuming alcohol when you have diabetes is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This is because although blood sugar levels generally rise initially after consuming alcohol, they can then sharply plummet for up to 24 hours after an alcoholic beverage is consumed. What is even more perilous is that the symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as stumbli Continue reading >>
Can I Drink With Diabetes? Does Alcohol Affect Blood Sugar?
As a diabetes educator, I frequently get asked from patients, “can I drink alcohol and, if so, how much?” A lot of people don’t know that alcohol can actually lower your blood glucose level. If you use insulin or certain diabetes medications you are at greater risk of having a low blood glucose reaction if you drink alcohol. It’s important to have this conversation with your doctor to see if it’s safe. Keep in mind that alcohol should always be consumed in moderation, however if you choose to have an alcoholic drink, here are some tips to help keep you safe: Don’t drink on an empty stomach or when your blood glucose is low. Drink alcohol with a meal or carbohydrate snack like pretzels or crackers. Don’t carb count your alcohol. If you count carbohydrates, don’t add alcohol to the equation. Replacing alcohol with carbohydrate foods can be risky and lead to low blood glucose or hyperglycemia. Alcohol is considered empty calories. It provides no nutritional value, so drinking too much will add no benefit to you. Drink in moderation. The American Diabetes Association recommends drinking in moderation and people with diabetes should follow the same guidelines as those without diabetes. Women should have no more than 1 drink a day, and men, no more than 2 drinks a day. You might be wondering, what is one drink? To give you an idea, one drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1 ½ ounces of distilled spirits (American Diabetes Association). Sip on your drink and make it last. By drinking in small sips, you can savor the flavor and make that one drink feel like much more. Hydrate yourself by keeping water close by. It’s easy to forget to drink especially when you’re in the midst of a conversation. Grab a glass of water when you grab your alc Continue reading >>
10 Things To Remember About Alcohol And Blood Sugar
If you can keep your alcohol consumption to one drink or under, you're probably okay, since most studies don't show increased risks for a single glass. Skip mixed cocktails, since they tend to be loaded with sugar, calories, and carbs, and don't drink on an empty stomach because it can spike blood sugar. Role-play difficult situations. If you dread being asked about why you won't eat cake or drink alcohol, you feel like you can't ask the doctor the questions you want answered, or you have an overbearing family member you don't know how to confront, practice how you'll handle the situation next time with a close friend or a counselor playing the other part. This way you can fine-tune your approach before you have to use it. If you've enjoyed so much as a glass of wine or beer in the hours leading up to your bedtime, do a quick check of your glucose levels. If your blood sugar is low, have a small snack if you need one before crawling under the covers. Alcohol makes it difficult for your body to recover from low blood sugar; having a bite to eat will moderate its effects. Alcohol and vigorous sex both lower blood sugar, and combining the two could cause a dangerous low. Be sure to monitor your blood glucose if you're having 'a glass of wine and thou.' This is critical, and the instructions for you might be different than for somebody else, so pay careful attention, and take notes. Make sure you know if you should take your medication or insulin before or after meals, at night or in the morning, with or without food, etcetera. Do you need to avoid alcohol? Are there potential interactions with other drugs that you should know about? This information will be in the bag when you pick up your prescription, but the language can be hard to understand, so it doesn't hurt to ask Continue reading >>
Drug And Alcohol Use With Diabetes
Comprehensive Guide to Research on Risk, Complications and Treatment Substance abuse is described as the excessive use of a substance such as alcohol or drugs that results in significant clinical impairments as well as the loss of ability to function academically, professionally, and socially [1]. An individual who was healthy before the substance abuse began will typically begin to experience serious health problems over time, but extensive damage may be avoided or reversed if effective substance abuse treatment is received. This is not the case, however, for individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes, and although this is a manageable disease with proper treatment, substance abuse may cause it to become life-threatening. This guide will discuss, in detail, how substance abuse can negatively impact the life and health of a person with diabetes. Diabetes, also referred to as diabetes mellitus, is a condition in which the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels. There are two forms known as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but in order to better understand the difference between the two types, the role that insulin plays in the regulation of healthy blood sugar levels will be briefly described. During the digestive process, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is a form of sugar that easily enters the bloodstream and is used by the body for energy. The pancreas normally responds to increasing blood sugar levels by initiating the production of the hormone known as insulin. As insulin levels increase, it signals the transfer of glucose into cells throughout the body and it also ensures that excess glucose will be stored in the liver in order to prevent high blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes, which is also called juvenile or insulin dependent Continue reading >>
A Look At Alcohol And The Risk Of Diabetes
Think of type 2 diabetes and you probably think of obesity: and it is true – excess weight is the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Almost 90% of people living with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Diabetes can be a vicious disease. At its worst it can lead to amputations, blindness, organ failure, and early death. But what about alcohol – can alcohol cause diabetes? How Does Diabetes Work? It’s like this: In the body food is turned into sugar. An excess of food, especially sweets, will turn into an excess of sugar. (While alcohol is not a sugar it is a high-glycemic carbohydrate.) This creates an increased demand for insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body convert food into usable energy. The body’s sensitivity to the hormone is reduced when insulin levels are consistently high and glucose builds up in the blood. This results in a condition called insulin resistance. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can decrease the effectiveness of insulin. For the body that cannot make proper use of this glucose, it will instead build up in the blood rather than moving into the cells where it’s needed. Symptoms can include fatigue, hunger, brain fog, and high blood pressure – and not least of all, weight gain. People who have insulin resistance most often don’t realize it’s a problem until it develops into full blown type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can seriously affect quality of life and reduce life expectancy: A 50 year old with diabetes can lose 8.5 of life compared to a 50 year old without diabetes. What Is the Correlation Between Alcohol and Diabetes? While moderate drinking may not necessarily have harmful effects in the development of diabetes, and in fact can even have protective qualities, heavy drinking can be extremely Continue reading >>
Medical News Today: How Does Alcohol Affect My Blood Sugar Levels?
It is not uncommon to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or to have drinks after work with friends. Alcohol consumption is very prevalent in the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2014: 87.6 percent of people age 18 and older reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime 71 percent reported drinking in the past year 56.9 percent reported drinking in the past month For many people, a glass of alcohol here and there does not pose a problem. For those with certain health conditions such as diabetes, however, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels and pose a health risk. It is important for them to understand what alcohol is and how it affects blood sugar levels. What is alcohol? Alcohol is made from the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. Fruits, vegetables, additives, and other by-products are added to the alcohol to produce different colors, strengths, tastes, and flavors. It is a depressant and classed as a “sedative-hypnotic drug” because it depresses the central nervous system. Every organ in the body can be affected by alcohol. Once consumed, it is rapidly absorbed by the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. For an average person, the liver can typically break down one standard drink of alcohol per hour. Excess alcohol moves throughout the body. The amount not broken down by the liver is removed by the lungs and kidneys in urine and sweat. Alcohol’s effect on the body How alcohol affects a person’s body depends on how much they consume. At low doses, alcohol can act as a stimulant. People may feel happy, or become talkative. Drinking too much alcohol can impair the body and lead to: Drowsiness Slurred speech Unsteady movements Blurred vision Slowed reaction time Shallow breath Continue reading >>
