Can Diabetics Drink Alcohol?
As a general rule, diabetics are able to drink alcohol in light to moderate amounts without any negative health effects.
Alcohol actually lowers blood-sugar levels for up to 8-12 hours after alcohol is consumed. This is because alcohol promotes blood glucose uptake into the liver in the form of glycogen (a form of short term energy storage).
Diabetics need to be aware that alcohol can cause hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar levels), especially when combined with diabetes medications that are designed to lower blood sugar levels. It is often a good idea for diabetics to drink alcohol with food in order to moderate blood sugar levels. Many alcoholic drinks also contain sugar which needs to be taken into consideration. This includes cocktails, spirits with non sugar-free mixers, sweetened wines, sherrie,s and ports.
Excessive alcohol consumption over long periods of time can further reduce the bodies ability to metabolize glucose however light to moderate amounts may actually increase insulin sensitivity according to some studies.
One research study looked at the results of 15 previous clinical trials involving a combined 350,000 men from around the world. The researchers found that those who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol (between one-half and four standard drinks daily) were 30% less likely to develop type-2 diabetes than heavy drinkers or those who did not drink at all.
A separate Italian study, where insulin sensitivity was measured in both diabetics and non-diabetics through a glucose tolerance test, found that the action of insulin was improved by alcohol in both the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. The greatest improvement occurred when three standard drinks of alcohol was consumed prior to the test.
