As a general rule, there is no need to avoid alcohol because you have diabetes. If your diabetes is well controlled, you have no other health problems that can be worsened by alcohol, and you know how to treat low blood sugars (hypoglycemia), alcohol in moderation is okay. Do not drink alcohol if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, breastfeeding, planning on driving or are taking any medications where alcohol is not recommended.
Moderation means consuming no more than 1 standard drink per day and no more than 10 per week, if you are a woman. For men, this would be no more than 2 standard drinks per day and no more than 15 per week. These recommendations are the same for people without diabetes.
Be aware of what is considered one standard drink size:
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Beer: 360 ml (12 fl oz) beer (5% alcohol)
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Wine: 150 ml (5 fl oz) wine (12% alcohol)
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Spirits or hard liquor: 45 ml (1.5 fl oz) of spirits (40% alcohol)
Alcohol, alone, does not raise your blood sugars. The added sugars in a mixed alcoholic beverage can be the culprit in raising blood sugars when drinking. Do not include the carbohydrate content in alcohol when dosing your mealtime insulin (e.g. rapid insulin).
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Causes weight gain, if alcohol is consumed in excess
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Increases blood pressure and a blood fat called, triglycerides
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Impairs judgment
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Can cause damage to liver, nerves, and pancreas
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Dehydrates the body
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Can lead to addiction
The liver is the organ that breaks down alcohol. It is also responsible for releasing sugar for body to use. The liver is not able to break down alcohol when you are drinking and make sugar for the body at the same time. This is why drinking alcohol can increase your risk of experiencing low blood sugars especially if you take insulin or certain oral medications that cause insulin to be released (ex. gluconorn, glyburide or diamicron).
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Be aware of delayed hypoglycemia that can occur up to 24 hours after drinking alcohol.
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People with Type 1 diabetes should be aware of the risk of morning hypoglycemia if alcohol is
consumed 2-3 hours after you eat your evening meal.
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Even small amounts of alcohol may impair someone’s ability to detect the onset of
hypoglycemia and therefore take appropriate action to correct it.
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Others may mistake the symptoms of hypoglycemia for intoxication.
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 Eat regular meals, take your medication(s), and check your blood sugar levels often.
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 Try to bring a companion with you who is not drinking so they can monitor you and be able to recognize the signs, symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia.
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Be aware that glucagon, a treatment for low blood sugar, may not work while alcohol is in your body. Because of this, pack treatment supplies with you (ex. Glucose tablets) and make sure that someone with you knows to call an ambulance should you pass out.
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Wear diabetes identification such as a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace.
 Eat carbohydrate rich foods while drinking alcohol.
 Always pour your own drinks, use less alcohol, and stretch your drinks with sugar-free mixes.
 Drink slowly, and have drinks that do not contain alcohol in between (e.g. water)
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Remember not to take extra meal time insulin for the carbohydrate content in alcohol
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Tell a responsible person you have been drinking so they can watch for symptoms of low blood sugar.
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Check your blood sugar before going to bed. Eat a carbohydrate snack if your blood sugar is lower than usual.
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Set an alarm or have a responsible person wake you up through the night and early morning to check your blood sugars. Remember delayed hypoglycemia can occur up to 24 hours after drinking alcohol.
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You need to get up on time the next day for any food, medication, or insulin you normally take.
Missing your medication or insulin can lead to high blood glucose, ketones, and even DKA.
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If you do not drink alcohol, don’t start.
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If you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation (1 drink/day for women, 2 drinks/day for men).
Do not save up drinks!
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When drinking alcohol, make sure you know how to prevent and treat hypoglycemia.
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Heavy alcohol drinkers (>3 drinks/day) are strongly recommended to reduce their alcohol intake.
Heavy drinking can make blood sugar control more difficult and increase other health risks.
 Talk to you diabetes educator or healthcare professional if you have any questions
© Nanji Professional Corporation