Is It Safe To Drink With Diabetes
People with diabetes do not need to cut alcohol out of their diet. As a matter of fact, many studies have suggested;that light drinking ;may be beneficial to diabetes, including a recent study from China that’s been in the news. However, there are some important safety considerations for people with diabetes.Alcohol competes with your livers ability to make glucose when your blood sugar is low.; If you are on insulin or other anti-hyperglycemic medications, this can lead to dangerously low blood sugar up to 24 hours after you stop drinking. Alcohol can also cloud your judgement, so;you may not realize that your blood sugar is low.To prevent hypoglycemia, dont drink on an empty stomach. Make sure you have food handy while you are drinking and keep an eye on your blood sugar.;
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Effects Of Alcohol Consumption In The Fed State
In people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, single episodes of alcohol consumption generally do not lead to clinically significant changes in blood sugar levels. In fact, some studies have indicated that isolated episodes of drinking with a meal may have a beneficial effect by slightly lowering blood sugar levels that tend to rise too high in diabetics . This potentially beneficial effect was observed in both men and women, regardless of age. The alcohol amounts administered in those studies were usually between 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg, leading to blood alcohol levels between approximately 0.03 and 0.1 percent . Those doses are equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 5 standard drinks. Interestingly, studies of acute alcohol exposure in nondiabetic people have yielded quite variable results, noting decreases, increases, or no changes in glucose levels.
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Blood sugar levels in the fasting state
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Hemoglobin A1c , a blood component that reflects blood sugar control over the past 2 to 3 months
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C-peptide, a molecule that is produced together with insulin .
Based on those biochemical markers, the researchers found the following results:
How Drinking Affects People With Diabetes
People with diabetes should be wary of alcohol use. According to a report published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, consuming two to four drinks per day can affect diabetic blood sugar levels.
Drinking can exacerbate symptoms of diabetes and may contribute to conditions that result in diabetes:
- Heavy drinking can reduce the bodys sensitivity to insulin, leading to Type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic pancreatitis, a condition caused by heavy drinking, can lead to diabetes.
- Drinking can cause weight gain, increasing a persons risk of developing diabetes.
Alcohol breaks down in the liver, where the bodys blood sugar is regulated. For people with diabetes, drinking can decrease blood sugar levels and block the production of glucose. Instead of regulating glucose during drinking sessions, the liver is working to eliminate alcohol from the body.
Low blood sugar levels, a condition called hypoglycemia, can lead to rapid heartbeat, fatigue or dizziness. Dangerously low glucose levels can cause loss of consciousness, seizure or coma. Hypoglycemia is considered to be a medical emergency.
Intoxication and low blood sugar levels share certain characteristics, including sleepiness, dizziness and disorientation. Diabetics who experience insulin shock may mistake their symptoms for those of drunkenness and fail to seek immediate medical care.
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Tips For Drinking Safely With Type 1 Diabetes
Now that you;are aware of;the interaction between;blood sugar;and alcohol, youre ready to make a game plan. Whether it be a birthday party, a football night or something else, these tips will help you be prepared for any occasion where you;may consume;alcohol:;;
Know the signs of low and high blood sugar:;Let your friends know about how alcohol impacts your body when you have type 1 diabetes, and go over the signs of hypo- and hyperglycemia. Make sure they;can spot the signs of low blood sugar and;know;to call 911 immediately if you have trouble eating or become unresponsive. If you use a continuous glucose monitor , consider sharing your data so that your friends can help track your levels.;
Dont forget to eat:;Always drink alcohol on a full stomach or eat while you are drinking. Before bed, have a snack high in protein and fat. You may want to set an alarm for a few hours after you go to sleep to check your blood sugar in the middle of the night.;
Adjust your insulin dosing as needed:;Discuss with your doctor;or endocrinologist;about;how different types of alcohol affect your blood sugar and consider making changes to your insulin dosing before, during and after drinking alcohol.;
Plan ahead;for cardio:;If you anticipate that youll be dancing, running around or anything else that;may;raise your heart rate, you might want to prepare for a drop in blood sugar. Plan ahead by decreasing your basal insulin dose if you wear a pump, or eating extra carbohydrates.;
Why Its Smart To Limit Or Avoid Alcohol Completely
If you have prediabetes, then its a good idea to cut back on your alcohol consumption and save your alcoholic beverages for special occasions only.
You see, drinking alcohol makes you more likely to have issues with blood sugar regulation and increases your risk of getting prediabetes. Being a heavy drinker makes you even more likely to develop prediabetes and set yourself up for getting diabetes in the future.
Experts recommend that you stay away from alcohol if you have prediabetes or to at least limit your intake. Alcohol can interfere with insulin function and disrupt healthy blood sugar regulation, leading to harmful swings in blood sugar that can be very risky. Alcohol can also contribute to weight gain, which is one of the risk factors for diabetes.
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Can Diabetics Drink Alcohol
If you have diabetes, developing an effective treatment plan may help prevent complications. Usually, one part of a diabetic management plan is paying attention to your diet. The food you eat, along with the beverages you drink, can affect blood sugar levels. So, can diabetics drink alcohol?
When it comes to alcohol, you might wonder if you have to skip that glass of wine or pass on all alcoholic drinks. The article below takes a look at how alcohol can affect diabetes.
How Can I Stay Safe When I Drink
In addition to paying attention to what you drink, you can pay attention to how you drink. Here are some tips for how to avoid some of the potential dangers of drinking:
- Stay hydrated when you drink.
- Eat beforehand. It reduces your risk of hypoglycemia. Never drink on an empty stomach.
- Avoid sugary drinks.
- Check your blood sugar before you drink and before you go to bed. If its low, eat a snack such as half a sandwich, yogurt, cheese with crackers, or an apple with peanut butter.
- Carry some form of ID that says you have diabetes, so if you do experience hypoglycemia, others will be able to recognize it and help you in case of an emergency.
- Have a designated driver .
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Your Guide To Alcoholic Beverages With Prediabetes
If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, its important to watch your food and beverage intake carefully. When it comes to alcohol, its best to avoid drinking whenever you can. But if you do choose to drink, then you might be wondering which drinks are worst and which ones are best.
Heres your guide to alcoholic beverages with prediabetes, so you can better understand how to choose the healthiest drink options.
Can People With Diabetes Drink Alcohol
When you have diabetes, you have to watch what you eat and drink almost constantly. You have been diagnosed with high blood sugar because your body is not producing enough insulin, which affects the way your body turns food into energy. You are probably taking medications and trying to manage the diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise. Can people with diabetes drink alcohol? Given your health situation, it may not be such a great idea.
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Talk To The People Drinking With You About Your Diabetes
Dont drink alone! Carry diabetes identification when you go out drinking and make sure you have friends who know about the risks of drinking with diabetes. Emphasize the fact that a hypo might look like you are drunk. Show them the hypoglycemia handout on this page before going out so that they know how to help you.;
Alcoholic Beverages: The Best And Worst Options
Not drinking alcohol at all really is best, but we know that many people like to have a drink or two on special occasions as a treat. So if you are going to choose to drink an alcoholic beverage, which options are the least problematic?
To make healthy choices, youll need to pay attention to calories, carbs, and sugars in your beverages.
The problem is that nutrition info for alcoholic beverages can be very, very hard to find. Its usually not on the label, so you have to go out of your way if you want to read nutrition facts. Because of this, many of us end up consuming more calories, sugars, and carbs than we realize in the form of alcohol.
On average, adults in the U.S. consume about 100 calories per day from alcoholic beverages, but many consume more like 300 calories from alcohol each day. And most people dont compensate for this by cutting down on other foods and drinks, they just consume the alcohol in addition to their normal daily diets.
To give you a rough idea, 12 oz. of 5% beer has about 150 calories, 5 oz. of 12% wine has about 120 calories, and 7 oz. of a rum and cola has about 155 calories total. But the nutrition content of drinks can vary a lot depending on the specific type, flavor, brand, and ingredients used.
Heres a guide to common alcoholic drinks and how to choose the healthiest options:
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1. Beer
If you choose the right kind, beer can be an appropriate choice to drink in moderation.
2. Wine
3. Liquor
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4. Mixed drinks
5. Hard seltzers
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Alcohol Use Among Diabetics Can Cause Cardiovascular Disease And Other Issues
Alcohol interacts with certain medications that treat diabetes, such as Glynase and Prandin. The liver processes these medications and alcohol. For people who take diabetic medications, drinking too much can damage the liver.
Heavy alcohol use can cause people with Type 1 diabetes to develop ketoacidosis, a condition that produces nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue. The condition occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones.
Heavy drinking can also cause alcohol-induced hypertriglyceridemia, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease. Moderate drinking can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy, a disorder related to nerve damage that can cause weakness, numbness and pain.
Drinking may cause people to ignore their health needs. A 2013 study published in the journal Acta Diabetologica indicated that alcohol use can reduce adherence to self-care recommendations for diabetes treatment, such as exercising or monitoring glucose levels.
How Will Alcohol Affect My Blood Sugar Control
Different alcoholic drinks will have varying effects on your blood sugar It also depends how much you drink. A single alcoholic drink may not have a huge effect on your overall blood sugar.
If you have more than a single drink, most alcoholic drinks will tend to initially raise your blood sugar.
Typically beers, lagers, wines, sherries and liqueurs will have this effect. However, alcohol inhibits the liver from turning proteins into glucose which means youre at a greater risk of hypoglycemia once your blood sugars start to come down. If you have a number of these drinks, you can expect to see a rise in blood sugar followed by a steady drop a number of hours later, often whilst asleep. People who take insulin, in particular, therefore need to be wary of hypoglycemia.
Each person will have a slightly different reaction to alcoholic drinks so its well worth using blood tests to check how your body responds to it.
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Sweetened Or Unsweetened Fruit Juices
Although 100 percent fruit juice is fine in moderation, and is a source of nutrients like vitamin C, all fruit juices can add a high amount of carbohydrates to your diet and are pure sugar. This combination can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and increase your risk for weight gain.
If you have a fruit juice craving that wont fade, be sure you pick up a juice thats 100 percent pure and contains no added sugars.
Also, limit your portion size to 4 ounces , which will reduce your sugar intake to only 3.6 teaspoons .
You might consider adding a splash or two of your favorite juice to sparkling water instead.
- increased weight gain
- high blood sugar levels
Upon further analysis, the study participants who had overweight or obesity, which are risk factors for metabolic syndrome, had likely been swapping no-calorie soda for the full-sugar versions.
They likely took this step to cut their calorie intake. This was an association, but it wasnt considered cause and effect.
A 2016 study seemed to show that those drinking diet sodas had increased blood sugar levels and waist circumference.
However, this study did not control for meals or physical activity or other variables before each round of testing was done.
Further, the authors stated that individuals with higher insulin levels at the beginning of the study may have already had metabolic issues not related to their intake of sugar-free sodas.
For most people living with diabetes, sugar-free sodas are safe in moderation.
Effects Of Alcohol On Diabetes
Here are some other ways that alcohol can affect diabetes:
- While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels, especially for people with type 1 diabetes.
- Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar.
- Alcohol stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
- Alcoholic drinks often have a lot of calories, making it more difficult to lose excess weight.
- Alcohol may also affect your judgment or willpower, causing you to make poor food choices.
- Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin.
- Alcohol may increase blood pressure.
- Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.
These may be confused with or mask the symptoms of low blood sugar.
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Alcohol Abuse And Addiction Among Diabetics
Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol on a regular or daily basis is a primary sign of alcohol abuse. This can lead to dependence and addiction, which can cause a person to become unable to function normally without alcohol in their system.
For some, the struggle of alcohol abuse precedes their development of diabetes. In other cases, a person may develop a problem with drinking at some point after. In any case, alcohol abuse in both diabetics and nondiabetics can have deadly consequences without treatment.
Alcohol use disorders can have a profound, negative impact on a persons ability to function in their personal and professional lives. The added difficulty of a medical condition like diabetes only makes this worse and can greatly harm both physical and psychological health.
Will I Have A Hypo Whilst Drunk
The symptoms of drunkenness can be very similar to a hypo, which can lead to very dangerous confusion.
Furthermore, if you have been drinking heavily, there may be a risk of hypos for up to 16 hours after you have stopped drinking.
Monitoring blood glucose levels closely is an essential part of managing your diabetes in this situation.
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Drink Tomato Juice Instead Of Sugary Fruit Juice
If you enjoy drinking juice or youre tired of drinking water all the time avoid sugary fruit options and instead opt for a small portion of vegetable juice, like tomato juice, Zanini says. And as long as you stick to 100 percent tomato juice with no added salt or sugar, it might provide you with some good overall health benefits.
For instance, drinking 1½ cups of tomato juice a day for a month cut down on some measures of inflammation in obese women, according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Tomato juice has about 10 grams of carbs per cup, so youll need to factor that in.
As always, its better to eat whole fruits and vegetables than drink them, Zanini says. Eating one whole tomato per day may help reduce blood pressure and, by extension, the cardiovascular risk associated with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the;International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.
How To Make A Low Sugar Pomegranate Martini
This pomegranate orange cocktail is super simple to make. Start with your orange wedge and squirt it into the bottom of your tumbler. Then, add in one shot of orange liqueur , 1/2 shot of vodka , and one shot of pomegranate juice. Shake it up real good and pour it over ice in a new glass. Then, just top it off with water or sparkling water to the top of the glass.
Now, if you want to get fancy, you can do a fine sea salt rim on the glass this is a great tutorial if youve never done it before. Dont worry, its super easy! If you want to do this, make sure to do it first before adding ice to the glass and before pouring your drink in.
And thats it! Garnish with a lime wedge if youd like, and then sit back and enjoy your Pomegranate Martini with Orange Liqueur!
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