Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAlcohol and DiabetesCarbohydratesLiver FunctionMedication InteractionDrinking SafelyWho Should Not Drink Alcohol?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Alcohol and Diabetes
Carbohydrates
Liver Function
Medication Interaction
Drinking Safely
Who Should Not Drink Alcohol?
Frequently Asked Questions
If you havediabetes, you may wonder if you should drink alcohol. When consumed with food, an occasional drink is OK, and if you choose wisely, it may have some positive effects on health.However, excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk ofhypoglycemia(low blood sugar),hyperglycemia(high blood sugar),liver disease, and more.This article discusses how alcohol can impact diabetes and related conditions and offers tips for safe drinking.Sally Anscombe/ Getty ImagesAlcohol and DiabetesStudies show drinking moderately (about one drink per day) may improveheart healthand decrease the risk of diabetes.However, some studies don’t account for frequency, the population being studied, and the types of beverages consumed.Regardingalcohol and diabetes, blood-sugar-reducing medications, such asinsulin, increase the risk of low blood sugar, and alcohol increases the risk.Symptoms of low blood sugar include shakiness and confusion and must be treated immediately.Women with diabetes should consume no more than one drink per day and men with diabetes should have no more than two. Frequent alcohol use is associated with increased rates ofhigh blood pressure, obesity,breast cancer,osteoporosis, andstroke.What Is Hypoglycemia?Alcohol and CarbohydratesCarbohydratesare the macronutrients that impact blood sugars the most and are the body’s preferred energy source. But alcoholic beverages containing carbohydrates won’t necessarily stabilize blood sugars (liquid carbohydrates are metabolized quickly).However, carbohydrates from food are digested slowly, so it’s important to eat carbs when consuming alcohol.When you have alcohol, it may take some time to figure out thefoodsthat work best for you. The number of carbohydrates needed to prevent highs and lows depends on your blood sugar level when you start drinking, your meal plan, and your medication.Most people benefit from consuming a snack or meal that contains some complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat. For example, if you have a glass of alcohol with dinner, choose roasted chicken, baked sweet potato, and sautéed spinach.Alcohol and Liver Function in DiabetesThe body converts excess calories from alcohol into fat. Over time, extra fat contributes toinsulin resistance(when your body doesn’t respond to insulin as it should), increases blood sugar, and can cause fatty liver disease.Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the stomach or the small intestine, and it’s then carried through the body and delivered to the liver. While the liver metabolizes alcohol, it cannot convert stored glycogen into theglucoseneeded to stabilize blood sugar levels.Interaction With Diabetes MedicationMany medications are also metabolized in the liver. Excess amounts of alcohol can alter the way your medicines work.Drinking alcohol when you take glucose-lowering medications (insulin) or certain oral medications can increase the risk of low blood sugar.If you takemetformin, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of a rare condition called lactic acidosis when lactic acid builds up in the bloodstream.Tips for Drinking Safely With DiabetesIt’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider how alcohol impacts diabetes. Some helpful tips to keep in mind are:Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.Avoid binge drinking (more than five alcoholic beverages in two hours for men or four in two hours for women).Drink water between alcoholic beverages.Always wear your medical ID to alert people that you have diabetes in an emergency.Carry candy, glucose tablets, gel, or other sugar sources to treat low blood sugar quickly.Check your blood sugar before, during, and after consuming alcohol and before bed.Choose your beverages wisely. Alcoholic drinks made with syrups, juice, and sugar can be very high in carbohydrates and calories.One Drink DefinedOne drink is defined as containing 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, as follows:12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol)5 fluid ounces of wine (12% alcohol)1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% alcohol), such as rum, vodka, whiskey, or ginWho Should Not Drink Alcohol?If you struggle to keep your diabetes stabilized, you may want to avoid alcoholic drinks or speak with your healthcare provider first. Consuming alcohol can worsen diabetes complications, such asretinopathy(damage to blood vessels in the retina),neuropathy(nerve damage), andnephropathy(kidney damage).Alcohol intoxication mimics signs of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue. So you may not know if your blood sugar is low or what you’re feeling is just the effects of the alcohol.You should also avoid drinking alcohol if you have:Hightriglycerides(a type of fat found in the blood)Fatty liver diseaseAlcoholichepatitisLivercirrhosisPancreatitisAlcohol is a depressant that impacts how your brain communicates with your body. If you have a history ofdepressionor depressive symptoms, drinking alcohol can worsen your condition.SummaryAn occasional social drink is usually harmless for people with diabetes. But if you do have diabetes, drinking safely involves more planning. Consider what type of alcohol you are drinking, when, and how much. Understand how your medications work and how alcohol can affect them. Make sure you are drinking with food and that you can check your blood sugar levels before, during, and after drinking and eating.A Word From VerywellThe effect alcohol will have on your diabetes depends on how much you drink, what you drink, when you drink, and what your medication regimen is. If you are going to drink, do it moderately and responsibly. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about how alcohol impacts diabetes.Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is no perfect drink for someone who has diabetes. If you choose to drink, you should do so in moderation. Choose something you enjoy and savor it. Drinking in excess can increase weight gain, negatively impacting your health.If you take insulin and drink alcohol on an empty stomach, your blood sugar will likely lower. However, if you drink frequently, alcohol can increase insulin resistance and raise blood sugars over time.
If you havediabetes, you may wonder if you should drink alcohol. When consumed with food, an occasional drink is OK, and if you choose wisely, it may have some positive effects on health.
However, excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk ofhypoglycemia(low blood sugar),hyperglycemia(high blood sugar),liver disease, and more.
This article discusses how alcohol can impact diabetes and related conditions and offers tips for safe drinking.
Sally Anscombe/ Getty Images
Studies show drinking moderately (about one drink per day) may improveheart healthand decrease the risk of diabetes.However, some studies don’t account for frequency, the population being studied, and the types of beverages consumed.
Regardingalcohol and diabetes, blood-sugar-reducing medications, such asinsulin, increase the risk of low blood sugar, and alcohol increases the risk.Symptoms of low blood sugar include shakiness and confusion and must be treated immediately.
Women with diabetes should consume no more than one drink per day and men with diabetes should have no more than two. Frequent alcohol use is associated with increased rates ofhigh blood pressure, obesity,breast cancer,osteoporosis, andstroke.
What Is Hypoglycemia?
Alcohol and Carbohydrates
Carbohydratesare the macronutrients that impact blood sugars the most and are the body’s preferred energy source. But alcoholic beverages containing carbohydrates won’t necessarily stabilize blood sugars (liquid carbohydrates are metabolized quickly).However, carbohydrates from food are digested slowly, so it’s important to eat carbs when consuming alcohol.
When you have alcohol, it may take some time to figure out thefoodsthat work best for you. The number of carbohydrates needed to prevent highs and lows depends on your blood sugar level when you start drinking, your meal plan, and your medication.
Most people benefit from consuming a snack or meal that contains some complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat. For example, if you have a glass of alcohol with dinner, choose roasted chicken, baked sweet potato, and sautéed spinach.
Alcohol and Liver Function in Diabetes
The body converts excess calories from alcohol into fat. Over time, extra fat contributes toinsulin resistance(when your body doesn’t respond to insulin as it should), increases blood sugar, and can cause fatty liver disease.
Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the stomach or the small intestine, and it’s then carried through the body and delivered to the liver. While the liver metabolizes alcohol, it cannot convert stored glycogen into theglucoseneeded to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Interaction With Diabetes Medication
Many medications are also metabolized in the liver. Excess amounts of alcohol can alter the way your medicines work.Drinking alcohol when you take glucose-lowering medications (insulin) or certain oral medications can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
If you takemetformin, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of a rare condition called lactic acidosis when lactic acid builds up in the bloodstream.
Tips for Drinking Safely With Diabetes
It’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider how alcohol impacts diabetes. Some helpful tips to keep in mind are:
One Drink DefinedOne drink is defined as containing 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, as follows:12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol)5 fluid ounces of wine (12% alcohol)1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% alcohol), such as rum, vodka, whiskey, or gin
One Drink Defined
One drink is defined as containing 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, as follows:12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol)5 fluid ounces of wine (12% alcohol)1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% alcohol), such as rum, vodka, whiskey, or gin
One drink is defined as containing 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, as follows:
If you struggle to keep your diabetes stabilized, you may want to avoid alcoholic drinks or speak with your healthcare provider first. Consuming alcohol can worsen diabetes complications, such asretinopathy(damage to blood vessels in the retina),neuropathy(nerve damage), andnephropathy(kidney damage).
Alcohol intoxication mimics signs of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue. So you may not know if your blood sugar is low or what you’re feeling is just the effects of the alcohol.
You should also avoid drinking alcohol if you have:
Alcohol is a depressant that impacts how your brain communicates with your body. If you have a history ofdepressionor depressive symptoms, drinking alcohol can worsen your condition.
Summary
An occasional social drink is usually harmless for people with diabetes. But if you do have diabetes, drinking safely involves more planning. Consider what type of alcohol you are drinking, when, and how much. Understand how your medications work and how alcohol can affect them. Make sure you are drinking with food and that you can check your blood sugar levels before, during, and after drinking and eating.
A Word From Verywell
The effect alcohol will have on your diabetes depends on how much you drink, what you drink, when you drink, and what your medication regimen is. If you are going to drink, do it moderately and responsibly. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about how alcohol impacts diabetes.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is no perfect drink for someone who has diabetes. If you choose to drink, you should do so in moderation. Choose something you enjoy and savor it. Drinking in excess can increase weight gain, negatively impacting your health.If you take insulin and drink alcohol on an empty stomach, your blood sugar will likely lower. However, if you drink frequently, alcohol can increase insulin resistance and raise blood sugars over time.
There is no perfect drink for someone who has diabetes. If you choose to drink, you should do so in moderation. Choose something you enjoy and savor it. Drinking in excess can increase weight gain, negatively impacting your health.
If you take insulin and drink alcohol on an empty stomach, your blood sugar will likely lower. However, if you drink frequently, alcohol can increase insulin resistance and raise blood sugars over time.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holst, C., Becker, U., Jørgensen, M.E.et al.Alcohol drinking patterns and risk of diabetes: a cohort study of 70,551 men and women from the general Danish population.Diabetologia. 2017;60:1941–1950. doi:10.1007/s00125-017-4359-3National Institute of Health.Diabetes and alcohol.American Diabetes Association.Alcohol & diabetes.Gangopadhyay KK, Singh P.Consensus statement on dose modifications of antidiabetic agents in patients with hepatic impairment.Indian J Endocrinol Metab.2017 Mar-Apr;21(2):341-354. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_512_16MedlinePlus.Lactic acidosis.U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.What is a standard drink?
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holst, C., Becker, U., Jørgensen, M.E.et al.Alcohol drinking patterns and risk of diabetes: a cohort study of 70,551 men and women from the general Danish population.Diabetologia. 2017;60:1941–1950. doi:10.1007/s00125-017-4359-3National Institute of Health.Diabetes and alcohol.American Diabetes Association.Alcohol & diabetes.Gangopadhyay KK, Singh P.Consensus statement on dose modifications of antidiabetic agents in patients with hepatic impairment.Indian J Endocrinol Metab.2017 Mar-Apr;21(2):341-354. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_512_16MedlinePlus.Lactic acidosis.U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.What is a standard drink?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Holst, C., Becker, U., Jørgensen, M.E.et al.Alcohol drinking patterns and risk of diabetes: a cohort study of 70,551 men and women from the general Danish population.Diabetologia. 2017;60:1941–1950. doi:10.1007/s00125-017-4359-3National Institute of Health.Diabetes and alcohol.American Diabetes Association.Alcohol & diabetes.Gangopadhyay KK, Singh P.Consensus statement on dose modifications of antidiabetic agents in patients with hepatic impairment.Indian J Endocrinol Metab.2017 Mar-Apr;21(2):341-354. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_512_16MedlinePlus.Lactic acidosis.U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.What is a standard drink?
Holst, C., Becker, U., Jørgensen, M.E.et al.Alcohol drinking patterns and risk of diabetes: a cohort study of 70,551 men and women from the general Danish population.Diabetologia. 2017;60:1941–1950. doi:10.1007/s00125-017-4359-3
National Institute of Health.Diabetes and alcohol.
American Diabetes Association.Alcohol & diabetes.
Gangopadhyay KK, Singh P.Consensus statement on dose modifications of antidiabetic agents in patients with hepatic impairment.Indian J Endocrinol Metab.2017 Mar-Apr;21(2):341-354. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_512_16
MedlinePlus.Lactic acidosis.
U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.What is a standard drink?
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