Alcohol for Diabetes

Alcohol and Diabetes: What Limits Should You Follow?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels. At the same time, diabetic patients experience dietary restrictions, which can lead to restrictions in alcohol consumption. But is it even possible to drink alcohol if you have diabetes?

We have already written that a person with diabetes can sometimes afford to drink a small amount of alcohol without harming his health. However, when drinking alcohol even rarely and in small doses, certain restrictions must be observed.

The first and most important restriction is to never drink strong drinks on an empty stomach. This is harmful to the gastric mucosa, which is not protected by pre-eaten food, to the pancreas and liver. This rule must also be followed for people who do not have diabetes.

The second restriction is not to drink more than 50-100 grams of vodka, a glass of wine or 1-2 glasses of beer during the festive evening. This celebration is probably not the last in life. So it's hardly worth the risk of undoing all the hard work spent on achieving diabetes compensation for the sake of 2-3 extra drinks.

The third limitation is to remember that alcohol can lead to the development of long-term hypoglycemia, as it blocks biologically active substances that destroy insulin. This prolongs the “life” and, consequently, the hypoglycemic effect of insulin. Therefore, after drinking alcohol, you need to eat well. But be aware that frequent drinking can make it difficult to manage your diabetes. After all, after a good snack there is a sharp jump in blood sugar. On the other hand, it is unclear how long the injected insulin, “protected” by alcohol, will circulate in the blood and absorb the existing sugar.

The fourth limitation is that alcohol contains calories. When 1 gram of alcohol is burned, 7 kilocalories are released. That is, 50 grams of vodka contains about 140 kilocalories. This is a lot, and therefore you must take these numbers into account when calculating the energy content of food.

Most people with diabetes can drink alcohol in moderation, as long as proper restrictions and recommendations are followed. However, before you start drinking alcohol, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that it does not conflict with your medication and will not cause negative effects on your health.

It is also important to remember that diabetes affects each person differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, before drinking alcohol, it is necessary to assess your symptoms and health status, and also follow all necessary restrictions and recommendations.

In general, drinking alcohol with diabetes is not strictly prohibited, but requires certain restrictions and precautions. If all necessary recommendations and restrictions are followed, drinking alcohol can be safe and will not affect the overall health of a person suffering from diabetes.