When it comes to drinking alcohol and having type 1 diabetes, people should be particularly cautious. It can make some of the complications of diabetes worse. First of all, drinking may cause your blood sugar to either rise or fall. That’s why it requires a lot of monitoring. Second, it has a lot of calories. If you drink, my suggestion is to do it only when your diabetes and blood sugar level are well-controlled. It can also interact with some medications that are prescribed to people with diabetes.
Even if you only rarely drink alcohol, it is very important to talk with your doctor endocrinologist about it so that he or she explains more about the link between them and suggest you what kind of drinks you can drink and how much.
Effects of alcohol on diabetes
The alcohol can affect diabetes. Here is how:
- It can cause hypoglycemia
- Excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level
- Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates which can raise blood sugar
- It also stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
Dos and Dont’s
When it comes to diabetes and alcohol consumption, people should follow these consumption guidelines:
- Drink slowly.
- Do not drink more than two drinks of alcohol in a one-day period.
- Drink alcohol only with food.
- Avoid “sugary” mixed drinks or sweet wines.
- Mix liquor with water, club soda, or diet soft drinks.
- Always wear a medical alert piece of jewellery or any kind of sign that says you have diabetes.
- Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.
- Always check your blood sugar before having an alcoholic beverage.
To conclude, Any person with diabetes that chooses to drink is advised to monitor their drinking very closely. Excessive drinking can become dangerous quickly for diabetics. In severe cases, heavy drinking can result in coma or death.
