How Are Alcohol And Diabetes Related?

Alcohol and diabetes are not good together. Alcohol can change the way your body uses the sugar in your blood It can also interfere with the effect of medications taken.

In fact, many times it has been reported that a person with diabetes can consume alcohol as long as it is done in moderation. However, this does not apply to all patients. Moreover, we all know that the risks of alcohol outweigh the benefits.

A healthy lifestyle does not include alcohol. While it is true that it is a very common drug associated with social contexts, it is also true that a person with diabetes should take extremely careful care of their health. Here are the reasons.

Is it safe to drink alcohol if I have diabetes?

The answer to this question is no. Alcohol has the potential to increase or decrease blood sugar, and this poses a significant risk to anyone with diabetes. Additionally, it may cause further problems.

It is normal for the liver to release glucose to keep blood sugar levels balanced. However, when a person drinks alcohol, the body must make sure to break it down. Thus, it can stop releasing glucose and cause a sugar reduction. This can happen up to 24 hours after consumption.

On the other hand, if the person drinks alcoholic beverages that are rich in carbohydrates, there is a risk that the opposite will happen : The sugar level rises. In addition to this, there are other possible damages:

• Alcohol contains many calories, which contributes to weight gain.
• The liver stores the calories from alcohol as fat. This causes the cells in that organ to become more resistant to insulin. Over time, blood sugar levels can rise.

• Alcohol poisoning and low blood sugar have similar symptoms. Therefore, it is more difficult to recognize a hypoglycemic condition.
• In general, alcohol can make some complications of diabetes such as eye damage, kidney damage or neurological damage more serious.
• An intoxicated person may not recognize the symptoms of sugar problems.

How much alcohol can I drink?

A person with diabetes should ask their doctor about restrictions on drinking alcohol. In some cases, no amount of alcohol is safe. At other times, moderate, occasional alcohol consumption may not be contraindicated.

If your doctor approves of alcohol, you should make sure that your diabetes is under control before drinking alcohol. It is also important to know how it can affect you and what precautions you need to take to avoid problems.

Moderate intake refers to no more than one item per day for women and no more than two items per day for men. What is “an object” now? It can be defined as follows:

• 360 milliliters of beverages with an alcohol content of 5% or less, e.g. beer.
• 150 milliliters of beverages with 12% alcohol content, such as wine.
• 45 milliliters of beverages with 40% alcohol content, such as whiskey, rum, gin, etc.

Interaction with medicine

It is not advisable to mix medication with alcohol and diabetes medication is no exception. A large number of drugs are synthesized by the liver, and upon ingestion of fluid, both substances compete to be assimilated first.

Therefore , alcohol may interfere with the action of the drug. In the case of diabetes, some drugs reduce blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Although alcohol can also reduce glucose levels, one possible outcome is to cause hypoglycaemia or, in the worst case, an “insulin shock,” which is a medical emergency.

Recommendations to take into account

If a person with diabetes nevertheless decides to drink alcohol, it is advisable to take some recommendations into account to reduce the risk of negative or serious consequences. The following are some of the measures to be taken.

It is important to eat properly when it comes to alcohol and diabetes

It is not advisable to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Therefore, it is best to eat something before drinking. Specialists also suggest eating foods rich in carbohydrates while drinking, as this helps keep blood glucose levels in balance.

Speed ​​and combinations

It is best to drink slowly. If you drink alcohol very quickly, it is easier to get drunk. You can combine spirits with spring or Danish water or a soda. It is also advisable to get fluids in the hours after drinking alcohol.

Control of sugar levels

Alcohol can weaken your attention. Therefore, it is best to check your blood sugar more often. This will help detect any signs of hypoglycemia and prevent it from being mistaken for just being drunk.

Do not combine it with exercise

If a person with diabetes combines exercise with alcohol consumption, there is a greater risk of low blood sugar. Therefore, they should avoid this combination. For example, if you drink alcohol and Danes, you should eat carbohydrates often.

Make the right choice when it comes to alcohol and diabetes

It is better to drink a non-alcoholic beer than a regular beer. Ordinary wines are also more advisable than sparkling, sweet, dessert or wine-based soft drinks. It is better not to drink cocktails, especially if you do not know exactly what they contain, or strong spirits like vodka or the like.

Take precautions

You should not drink alone, but rather in the company of people who know about diabetes. In any case, you should carry a card or item that identifies the disease. It is also a good idea to take a glucose tablet with you, just in case.

Ask your doctor about alcohol and diabetes

The doctor is the one who has to decide whether a person with diabetes can drink alcohol or not. They are also knowledgeable enough to offer recommendations for responsible alcohol intake.

If your drinking habits change or cause concern, you should discuss this with your doctor. If any of the following symptoms occur after drinking alcohol, consult your doctor:

• Blurred or double vision.
• Very fast or beating heartbeat.
• Nervousness, irritability or aggression.
• Headache.
• The tremor or tremor.
• Hunger or sweat.
• Numbness or tingling.
• Weakness or fatigue.
• Confusion.
• Problems sleeping.

It is best to avoid combining alcohol and diabetes

Today, we know that no amount of alcohol is really safe, especially for a person suffering from a chronic illness like diabetes. Therefore, it is best to refrain from consuming this type of beverage to avoid unpleasant surprises.

If, despite this, it is inevitable to consume alcohol anyway, the golden rule is to do so in moderation and occasionally. When there are problems with drinking, it is best to seek psychological help.