The liver often makes this choice when you drink without eating food—so consider snacking while you sip. Because many of the symptoms of hypoglycemia—such as slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty walking—are also symptoms of being drunk, it can be difficult to tell the two apart. Yet, many people assume that alcoholic drinks are loaded with carbs, not realizing that wine and spirits are practically carbohydrate free—with only a trace of carbohydrate in spirits and roughly four grams of carbs in a five-ounce glass of wine.
The exception is sweet dessert wines, which pack 14 grams of carb in a tiny three-and-a-half-ounce glass. Food, on the other hand, is digested gradually, so it provides better protection against lows. Being tipsy has another downside, making it easy to mix up your medications or to forget to take them entirely.
Remember, drink sizes vary. Talk to your doctor about your drinking habits and they can provide you with tips and tricks for how drink in a way that works for you. It is a good idea for them to talk with a doctor so that they thoroughly understand the risks involved.
Some medications are not suitable for use alongside alcohol consumption. People with diabetes should be sure to pay attention to any potential warnings. Alcohol consumption can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels. This is because the liver has to work to remove the alcohol from the blood instead of managing blood sugar levels. Alcohol consumption can also lead to situational unawareness of low blood sugar levels.
Some of the symptoms of low blood sugar levels are similar to those of consuming too much alcohol. These include:. Alcohol consumption can also:. People with diabetes who plan on drinking alcohol should check their blood sugar levels before and up to 24 hours after drinking. They should also check these levels at bedtime to ensure that they are stable before sleeping. Below is the alcohol content in some common alcoholic drinks, according to the CDC. Each is equal to one drink.
It typically varies by beer type. People with blood sugar issues should avoid consuming mixed drinks and cocktails. These drinks are often full of sugar and empty calories and may increase blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends the following tips for people with diabetes when they drink alcohol:.
The following tables contain information from the Department of Agriculture. They show the amount of carbs and sugar in different alcoholic beverages. Most people with diabetes can enjoy an occasional alcoholic drink. Each alcoholic beverage takes between 1 and 1. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher their risk of experiencing low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar symptoms can suddenly appear, and they can be dangerous if a person is not prepared.
It is a good idea to eat carbs before drinking alcohol to help keep blood sugar levels steady. People with diabetes can carry glucose tabs in case of an emergency, and they should check their blood sugar levels regularly. They should also remember that some diabetes medications may not work if they consume too much alcohol. One study found that women who drink moderately have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than women who do not drink.
The majority of alcohol metabolism takes place in the liver, which is also the primary location of glucose production. Because of this, alcohol intake can interfere with the liver's production of glucose and may cause hypoglycemia — or low blood sugar. Alcohol intake can lower blood sugar immediately and up to 12 hours after ingestion.
While this effect can occur both in diabetics and non-diabetics alike, diabetics should use additional caution when drinking alcohol, especially if taking glucose-lowering medications such as insulin. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are similar to alcohol intoxication, which include dizziness and disorientation.
If you have diabetes and decide to drink, it may be helpful to wear identification that states you have diabetes to ensure you receive the proper care. Avoid consuming alcohol on an empty stomach and if you do drink, eat a snack that contains carbohydrates either before or while you drink to help avoid hypoglycemia.
Paying attention to the proper serving size of alcohol can help avoid excess consumption. One serving of alcohol is approximately two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
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