Articles from Diabetes Forecast® magazine:


Wondering if alcohol is off limits with diabetes? Research has shown that there can be some health benefits such as reducing risk for heart disease. But, there are also risks. Drinking alcohol can cause a drop in blood glucose because alcohol blocks the production of glucose in the liver. (The liver contains “emergency stores” of glucose to raise your blood sugar if it drops too low.) Once the liver's stores of glucose are used up, a person who has drank a lot of alcohol can't make more right away, and that can lead to dangerously low blood glucose or even death.
Also, alcohol is processed by your liver, which is responsible for removing toxins (like alcohol or drugs) and processing medication, so if you are taking other pills, drinking too much alcohol can cause damage to your liver. If you have any questions about whether alcohol is safe for you, check with your doctor. People with diabetes need to use the same guidelines as those without diabetes if they choose to drink:
*One drink is equal to a 12 oz beer, 5 oz glass of wine or 1 ½ oz distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin, etc.).
Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia shortly after drinking and for up to 24 hours after drinking. If you are going to drink alcohol, check your blood glucose:
Be sure your blood glucose is at a safe level – between 100 and 140 mg/dL before you go to sleep. If your blood glucose is low, eat something to raise it and be sure to check again before you go to sleep, and again over night to be sure it’s not dropping too low.
The symptoms of too much alcohol and hypoglycemia can be similar – feeling sleepy, dizzy and confused. The one way to get the help you need is to always wear an I.D. that says "I have diabetes." Also, be sure that your family and friends know to be aware of your symptoms of hypoglycemia and what to do.
Wondering if adding a glass of wine or beer might help lower your blood glucose if it is high? The effects of alcohol can be unpredictable and it is not recommended as a treatment for high blood glucose. The risks likely outweigh any benefit that may be seen in blood glucose alone.
Adapted from the book Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, 4th Edition, written by Hope S. Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, a nationally recognized expert on healthy eating and diabetes.
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