NUTRITION FOR DIABETICS: USE OF ALCOHOL

What is the effect of alcohol on blood sugar levels?

People with diabetes should be cautious about drinking alcohol. Too much alcohol can make blood sugar levels fall too low. Drinking even a small amount of alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to a very low blood sugar. If you take insulin or diabetes pills, your blood glucose may go too low when you drink because alcohol interferes with the effects of the medicine. In addition, some medicines, including those for diabetes, can interact with alcohol. This can be serious and potentially life-threatening.

What are the other effects of drinking alcohol when you have diabetes?

Alcohol can make some diabetic health problems worse. If there is nerve damage in the arms or legs, eye disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, or other health problems related to diabetes, drinking any amount of alcohol can make these problems worse. Drinking heavily or for a long period of time can cause nerve damage. If you have diabetic neuropathy, drinking will make it worse.

People with diabetes are at risk for high blood pressure. Alcohol has been shown to increase blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase diabetic complications such as kidney failure, retinopathy, and heart disease. Not drinking alcohol can help lower high blood pressure.

Diabetics who have high levels of triglycerides in their blood should not drink alcohol. Even light drinking (two 4-ounce glasses of wine a week) will raise triglyceride levels.

What are the guidelines for drinking alcohol if I have diabetes?

People who have trouble controlling their diabetes or who have complications should avoid drinking alcohol altogether. If you drink alcohol, follow these tips:

Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Have a meal or a snack (especially if you are going to bed after drinking alcohol) and sip it slowly.
Limit yourself to 1 drink if you are a woman and 2 drinks if you are a man. Men and women metabolize alcohol differently. One drink equals one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one and one-half ounce shot of spirits.
Select drinks that are low in alcohol and sugar. For example, light beer and dry wine are good choices. Use diet soft drinks or water to mix drinks.
Do not drink alcohol if you are trying to lose weight. It is loaded with extra calories and lacks nutrients.
If you cook with alcohol, use regular drinking wine, not cooking wine. There is less sodium in the drinking wine. Cook the food slowly so that the alcohol has time to burn off.
Always wear a diabetes alert bracelet. If you have a low blood glucose reaction, you want others to know that you have diabetes and are not drunk.
Monitor your blood sugar often. Have a high-carbohydrate snack handy, or glucose tablets or gel. Glucagon will not help in the treatment of alcohol-induced hypoglycemia.
Combining alcohol with exercise can cause the blood sugar level to lower, even hours after the physical activity. It is better to quench your thirst with water before, during, and after exercise.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association or call 800-342-2383. Visit their Web site at www.diabetes.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File NTR4718F.HTM Release 9.0/2006