For reference, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate drinking as two drinks or fewer per day for men, or one drink or fewer per day for women. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends one drink or fewer per day for people of either gender. If someone with diabetes has consumed a lot of alcohol, it’s also possible that they can miss the signs of hypoglycemia. It all depends on what you drink, how much you drink, and what else you’re doing while you’re drinking – like eating or dancing. So it’s best to talk to your healthcare team and get their advice.
Alcohol and Blood Glucose-Lowering Medications
Before you indulge, make sure you have a tasty appetizer or healthy salad to go along with your drink. The answer to whether you can or should not will depend on your specific circumstances. This will help you better manage your blood sugars and learn what does and doesn’t work when it comes to your choice of beverage. Alert friends and family about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how these signs could differ from overconsumption of alcohol.
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Diabetes Strong has strict sourcing and citation guidelines, outlined in our Editorial Policy. This is a blend of Irish whiskey, cream, and chocolate and vanilla flavors. While often enjoyed neat over ice, it also plays a starring role in Mudslides, White Russians, and Espresso Martinis. Dr. Jordan Pinsker has served as our Chief Medical Officer since November 2023 after joining the Company as Vice President and Medical Director in April 2021. He is a leading pediatric endocrinologist and prominent thought leader in artificial pancreas research. Dr. Pinsker joined Tandem from Sansum Diabetes Research Institute in Santa Barbara, California, where he served as the Director of Artificial Pancreas Technology since 2018.
Wear a diabetes ID.
After you drink alcohol, your blood sugar levels can drop up to 24 hours later. Check your blood sugar before and while you’re drinking and then again before you go to bed. For example, studies have shown that for people who have type 2 diabetes, occasionally drinking alcohol may slightly reduce glucose levels. This means drinking can make it even harder for people with type 2 diabetes—which is defined by elevated glucose levels—to manage their blood sugar.
- It’s not uncommon for some people to mistake having a hypo for being drunk.
- They should also check these levels at bedtime to ensure that they are stable before sleeping.
- Before you indulge, make sure you have a tasty appetizer or healthy salad to go along with your drink.
Here are some facts on alcohol and the impact drinking has on the health and safety of a person with diabetes. A serving of Bailey’s Irish Cream (about 3.38 ounces) contains 314 calories and 22 grams of carbs. It also has a surprising 14 grams of fat (after all, it’s made with cream!). Sugary cocktails and mixed drinks can raise blood sugars and, if consumed regularly, lead to weight gain. Light beer stands out in the crowd when it comes to lower carb grams.
Effects of Alcohol on Diabetes
However, this depends on the style of Champagne — dry and brut varieties are low in sugar. For instance, a standard 5-ounce (150-mL) glass of white wine also provides 3.8 grams of carbs (22). Bud Lite is another low carb beer that provides fewer than 5 grams can diabetics get drunk of carbs per serving. Generally speaking, low carb beers may have up to 37% fewer calories and 80% fewer carbs than regular beers (8, 9). In general, a glass of a dessert wine can contain between 140 to 170 calories and 11 to 15 grams of carb per serving.
- As you may well know, living with type 2 diabetes often means cutting out or cutting back on foods and beverages that can affect sugar (glucose) levels in the blood.
- A 12-ounce beer has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, compared to 3 to 6 grams in light beer.
- However, this depends on the style of Champagne — dry and brut varieties are low in sugar.
- It is a good idea for them to talk with a doctor so that they thoroughly understand the risks involved.
- Exercise can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia when coupled with other factors, such as drinking alcohol.
Alcohol and Liver Function in Diabetes
Some people find that alcohol helps them deal with stress or when they’re feeling low. It might make you feel more relaxed, but it’s not a healthy way of managing these feelings. It’s not uncommon for some people to mistake having a hypo for being drunk. So carry hypo treatments around with you and always wear some medical ID. You should also make sure that whoever you’re with knows you have diabetes, and knows how to help with a hypo if you need them to. Alcohol can also contain a lot of calories, which can lead to putting on weight.
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If you can’t face food or you’ve been sick, drink as many fluids as you can, including some sugary (non-diet) drinks if your blood sugar levels are low. Drinking just gets more complicated when you consider the immediate impact that “carby” beverages have on your blood sugar levels. Alcoholic drinks can cause both blood sugar rises and blood sugar drops, making it important to think cautiously and plan ahead.
Does drinking alcohol lead to other health issues?
Read on to learn more about four possible effects of alcohol on people with diabetes. For people new to the intersection of alcohol and diabetes, it’s advisable to have a friend or family member who knows diabetes to check in with. This person should also know the signs of hypoglycemia and what to do if their friend or loved one needs assistance. Depending on what you like to drink, there can be a lot of calories in alcohol. You might want to know whether it’s safe to drink alcohol with diabetes, and how much is OK. That means that you’re just as likely to have blood sugar issues the morning after drinking.