For some people, a glass of alcohol here and there may not cause any harm. However, if you are living with a medical condition, such as diabetes, alcohol can affect how well your blood glucose (sugar) level is managed. It may potentially harm your body by preventing your liver from doing its job- regulating your blood sugar or by interacting with the medications that you are using to manage your diabetes.
Here are some of the things you should know.
Alcohol and diabetic medications
Alcohol may lower or raise your blood glucose depending on the amount you take. It affects how well your body absorbs or breaks down your diabetic medications such as insulin or metformin.
Alcohol and the liver
Your liver helps you to store glucose so that when you have not eaten, there will be an extra source of energy for your day-to-day activities. When you drink alcohol, the liver will be too busy clearing the alcohol in your system and will be unable to properly regulate your blood sugar. This can affect how well your diabetes is managed.
Alcohol and hypoglycemia
Alcohol can make your blood sugar very low. This can make you become weak or even as serious as fainting and falling into a coma. For this reason, you should never drink alcohol when your blood glucose is already low.
Alcohol and weight gain
Alcoholic drinks often contain a lot of calories. For instance, a pint of lager can be equivalent to a plate of pizza. Heavy drinking can make you gain a lot of weight, and this may increase your chances of becoming diabetic or worsening your diabetes
Alcohol and general awareness
Drinking excessive alcoholic beverages will make you intoxicated especially if you drink on an empty stomach. You may start to feel dizzy, sleepy, and disoriented. As a result, you may not take your diabetes medication on time or you may not take them properly.
If you have a health condition such as diabetes and you are worried if you may drink alcohol or not, consult your health provider. He or she will be able to tell if you can drink alcohol, and what quantity is appropriate for you.
