Medicine is always against drinking alcohol, especially if such an addiction develops against the background of serious diseases, such as diabetes. Regardless of the type of this disease and the characteristics of its course, it is important to exclude alcohol from your diet, but there are some nuances.
Alcohol and type 1 diabetes
If a person suffers from this form of diabetes, then moderate and small doses of alcohol cause excessive sensitivity to insulin, which leads to an improvement in the ability to control blood sugar.
If the patient resorts to this method of therapy, then no positive effect can even be expected; alcohol in diabetes will not only negatively affect sugar levels, but will also have a detrimental effect on the liver.
Alcohol and type 2 diabetes
If we consider type 2 diabetes, the patient must remember that alcoholic beverages can be combined with the disease only if the amount of consumption is minimal. With careful drinking, an almost lightning-fast decrease in blood glucose concentration can occur.
In other words, a patient with type 2 diabetes needs to know the mechanism of alcohol’s effect on their body and internal organs. If the patient is completely dependent on taking insulin, then there can be no talk of any alcohol. In the opposite situation, the blood vessels, heart and pancreas can be seriously damaged; alcohol in diabetes mellitus can be extremely harmful.
What about wine?
Many diabetics may be concerned about the possibility of consuming wine products. Modern scientists believe that one glass of wine is not capable of causing harm to health, but only if it is dry red. Every diabetic should remember that in his condition, alcohol is much more dangerous than for a healthy person.
Wine made from red grape varieties has a healing effect on the body and saturates it with polyphenols, which are responsible for controlling blood sugar levels, which is very good for diabetes; in addition, it is not prohibited for diabetics in certain quantities.
When choosing this sparkling drink, you should pay attention to the amount of sugar in it, for example:
- in dry wines it is 3-5%;
- in semi-dry – up to 5%;
- in semi-sweet – 3-8%;
- other types of wines contain 10% and higher.
To summarize, we can say that patients with diabetes should opt for wines with a sugar level below 5%. It is for this reason that doctors advise consuming dry red wine, which is not able to change blood glucose levels.
Scientists confidently claim that drinking 50 grams of dry wine every day will only be beneficial. This “therapy” can prevent the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis and has a beneficial effect on the blood vessels of the brain.
If you don’t want to give up the pleasure of drinking alcohol for company, then you should remember some important points about drinking wine correctly:
- You can allow yourself no more than 200 g of wine, and once a week;
- Alcohol is always taken only on a full stomach or at the same time as foods that contain carbohydrates, such as bread or potatoes;
- It is important to follow the diet and timing of insulin injections. If you plan to consume wine, then the dosage of medications should be slightly reduced;
- The consumption of liqueurs and other sweet wines is strictly prohibited.
If you do not follow these recommendations and drink about a liter of wine, then after 30 minutes your blood sugar level will begin to rise rapidly. Within 4 hours, blood sugar will drop so low that this may become a prerequisite for a coma.
Diabetes and vodka
The ideal composition of vodka is pure water and alcohol, which is dissolved in it. The product should not contain any food additives or impurities under any circumstances. All that vodka that you can buy in any store is far from what can suit a diabetic’s body, so diabetes and alcohol, in this context, are simply incompatible.
Once in the human body, vodka immediately lowers blood sugar, causing hypoglycemia, which is always quite severe. When vodka is combined with insulin drugs, the hormones that cleanse the liver of toxins and break down alcohol begin to be inhibited.
In a number of situations, vodka can help a patient overcome type 2 diabetes. This becomes possible if a patient with the second type of disease has a glucose level that exceeds all normal levels. Such an alcohol-containing product will quickly help stabilize this indicator and bring it back to normal, but only for a while.
Important! 100 grams of vodka per day is the maximum permissible dose of alcohol. It should be consumed only with medium-calorie dishes.
It is vodka that starts the digestion process in the body and processes sugar, however, at the same time it disrupts the metabolic processes in it. For this reason, it would be reckless to engage in treatment with vodka, which is pleasant for some diabetics. This can only be done with the consent and permission of the attending physician, and the most ideal option would be to simply stop drinking alcohol.
Contraindications
There are a number of diseases associated with diabetes mellitus that exclude alcohol consumption:
- chronic pancreatitis. If you drink alcohol with this combination of ailments, this will lead to serious damage to the pancreas and problems in its functioning. Disturbances in this organ will become a prerequisite for the development of exacerbation of pancreatitis and problems with the production of important digestive enzymes, as well as insulin;
- chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver;
- gout;
- kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy with severe renal failure);
- the existence of a predisposition to constant hypoglycemic conditions.
Consequences of alcohol abuse
In a diabetic patient, too much sugar is not converted into energy. To prevent glucose from accumulating, the body tries to remove it through urine. Those situations when sugar drops too sharply are called hypoglycemia. Those diabetics who depend on insulin injections are especially susceptible to its development.
If there is excessive alcohol consumption, the risk of hypoglycemia increases several times. This is due to the fact that alcohol does not allow the liver to work adequately, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach.
If there are also problems in the nervous system, then alcohol will only aggravate this serious situation.
Patients with type 2 diabetes must be especially careful when it comes to drinking alcohol because it can cause some complications of the disease.
Firstly, alcohol has a negative effect on the liver, and it regulates blood glucose levels.
Secondly, alcohol interacts with some medications prescribed to diabetics.
Is it possible to drink vodka, dry wine and beer if you are sick? Read the article about the dangers and benefits, the interaction of alcohol with the diabetic body, and contraindications!
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Alcohol for diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, drinking alcoholic beverages causes serum sugar levels to rise or fall. Alcohol also contains a significant number of calories.
If you do decide to drink alcohol, it is better to choose a moment when your sugar level is under control. If you are following a specific meal plan that counts proteins, fats, carbohydrates and calories, one alcoholic cocktail should be counted as 2 meals of fatty/high-calorie food.
Very important! Before drinking alcohol, consult your doctor or nutritionist to assess all possible consequences/risks.
What alcoholic drinks can you drink?
Calorie content of vodka per 100 grams is about 240 kcal. – 0/0/0.15.
Vodka has a certain effect of lowering glucose levels, since it inhibits the synthesis of the latter of the polysaccharides that are stored in the liver. If a patient uses insulin or other medications to regulate glucose levels, the dose of the drug may be artificially increased and this will result in hypoglycemia. To avoid this, you must take alcoholic beverages in doses agreed with your doctor!
In general, vodka is “not dangerous” for diabetics in doses of about 50-100 ml 1-2 times a week. After drinking the drink, it is better to immediately eat lunch or dinner containing 150 grams of carbohydrates and 70 grams of protein.
According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking red/white wine can lower your blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours. Because of this, doctors recommend checking this value before drinking the drink, and also monitoring it within 24 hours after drinking.
Diabetics should prefer dry or semi-dry wines. Sparkling, sweet/semi-sweet wines (as well as champagne) should be avoided or consumption should be kept to a minimum. Sugary drinks that use high-sugar juice or mixer for preparation can raise a diabetic's blood glucose levels to critical levels.
Calorie content of red wine per 100 grams is about 260 kcal. Protein/fat/carbohydrate ratio– 0/0/0,1. White - 255 kcal, and BJU– 0/0/0,6. Sparkling– 280 kcal, BJU – 0/0/26.
Drinking wine if you have diabetes is possible. But you need to understand that patients with diabetes have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, as well as lower levels of “good” cholesterol. High cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke because they absorb “bad” cholesterol and carry it back to the liver, where it is flushed out of the body.
One glass of dry red or white wine with dinner 2-3 times a week will not increase glucose levels to critical points, but you should not exceed the indicated dosage.
They are strong alcoholic drinks. Their excessive consumption may lead to certain health risks. Antioxidants are beneficial substances that help keep harmful free radicals from damaging cells. This type of damage can increase the risk of clogged arteries, heart disease, cancer, and vision loss. Drinking moderate doses of cognac can help increase the amount of antioxidants that the blood can absorb. Cognac, rum and whiskey can help limit the risk of blood clots.
Calorie content of cognac per 100 grams is about 250 kcal. Protein/fat/carbohydrate ratio– 0/0/0,1. Whiskey – 235 kcal, and BJU– 0/0/0,4. Roma– 220 kcal, BJU – 0/0/0,1.
Diabetics should drink such strong drinks with caution and not exceed a dose of 10 mg once a week.
Vermouths (martini) are sweet alcoholic drinks rich in carbohydrates and sugars. Their consumption can lead to quite sharp shocks in blood glucose levels.
Calorie content of vermouth per 100 grams is about 350 kcal. Protein/fat/carbohydrate ratio– 0/0/37.
Important! You should consume vermouth no more than once a month under the strict supervision of a specialist!
Calorie content of tequila per 100 grams is about 267 kcal. Protein/fat/carbohydrate ratio– 0/0/28.
Tequila is made using natural sugar obtained from the agave fruit - agavin, which is an organic sweetener. Tequila contains substances that have a positive effect on patients with type 2 diabetes, thanks to the natural sweetener in agave. These plant sweeteners slow the stomach from emptying, increasing insulin production.
They are also non-digestible, which means they act as dietary fiber but cannot raise a person's blood sugar levels. While this inability to be broken down means some people's digestive systems cannot tolerate the sweetener, the researchers believe this effect may stimulate the growth of healthy microbes in the mouth and gut.
Agavines help lower blood glucose levels, and also have a prebiotic effect and are able to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, while simultaneously increasing the level of beneficial probiotics - lactobacilli and lactobifids. Therefore, drink tequila in small quantities - 30 ml 2-3 times a week, more likely, will have a beneficial effect on the health of a patient with diabetes mellitus.
Gin calories per 100 grams is about 263 kcal. Protein/fat/carbohydrate ratio– 0/0/0.
Gin - distilled alcohol - (along with rum, vodka and whiskey) will lower your blood sugar levels, the reason again being that your liver will fight the toxins in the alcohol and stop releasing stored glucose when needed, however any sweet adulterants in the drink will increase your blood sugar levels due to the carbohydrates in them. Without sweet additives, diabetics can consume gin in the amount of one serving per week (approximately 30-40 ml).
Beer is an alcoholic beverage, usually made from malted grain such as barley, which is flavored with hops and brewed by fermentation with yeast. Some craft beers are made with grains such as rice, corn or sorghum instead of barley.
There are two main types of beer: light/dark and unfiltered. The difference lies in the temperature at which the beer is fermented and the type of yeast used. Light and dark generally ferment at higher temperatures than unfiltered and include top-fermenting yeasts.
Beer has some benefits for diabetics and may reduce the risk of heart disease. It is believed that this occurs in part because the blood becomes less viscous and therefore less likely to clot. (Dark beer contains more antioxidants than light beer, which may protect against heart disease.)
Alcohol can help raise your “good” cholesterol levels. Secondly, beer can reduce the risk of kidney stones. Thirdly, beer can strengthen bones. It contains silicon, a mineral found in some foods and drinks that is essential for bone health. Fourthly, beer is a source of B vitamins, which help the body get energy from food.
1 bottle of light/dark beer (300-400 ml) 2-3 times a week will not harm a patient with diabetes. If you take insulin or sulfonylureas (a class of diabetes pills), you are at risk of developing hypoglycemia. Any type of alcohol can increase your risk of low blood sugar, so it's best to eat something that contains carbohydrates when you drink alcohol. However, it is very unlikely that one beer will lower your blood sugar. Light beer may be a better option because it contains less alcohol and fewer calories.
While moderate amounts of alcohol can cause a slight increase/decrease in blood sugar levels, excess alcohol can actually lower blood sugar levels to dangerous levels, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.
Alcohol can provide calories or energy to the body without directly raising blood sugar levels, but if you are an insulin dependent person with diabetes, you need to be careful about its consumption.
Ethyl alcohol, which is the active ingredient in spirits, beer and wine, has no direct effect on blood sugar levels because the body does not convert it into glucose. In the case of distilled spirits and very dry wine, the alcohol is usually not accompanied by enough carbohydrates to directly affect blood sugar levels.
For example, 100 grams of gin contain 83 calories. These extra calories may increase your weight slightly, but not your blood sugar.
Different beers - ales, stouts and lagers - can have different amounts of carbohydrates and therefore can increase your blood sugar levels by different amounts.
Mixed drinks and dessert wines can be loaded with sugar and are best avoided. Exceptions may include dry martinis or mixed drinks, which can be made without sugar.
Ethyl alcohol may indirectly lower blood sugar levels in some people with diabetes if consumed with meals. It does this by partially paralyzing the liver by inhibiting gluconeogenesis, meaning the liver cannot adequately convert most of the protein in food into glucose.
More than one glass of wine or glass of beer can have a similar effect. If you take 2 x 30ml servings of gin with a meal, your liver's ability to convert protein into glucose may be seriously impaired.
The condition in which the sugar level decreases, hypoglycemia, is well controlled; a little carbohydrates, and your sugar level will rise. But the problem with alcohol and hypoglycemia is that if you drink a lot of alcohol, you will develop symptoms typical of both alcohol intoxication and hypoglycemia - lightheadedness, confusion and slurred speech.
The only way to find out the cause of these symptoms is to monitor your blood sugar levels while eating, which is unlikely since you won't even think to check your blood sugar levels while intoxicated.
Please note the following:
- Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and can raise sugar levels to values close to critical;
- Alcohol stimulates the appetite, which can cause overeating and can affect blood sugar levels;
- Alcoholic drinks are often high in calories, making it difficult to lose weight;
- Alcohol can also affect your willpower, causing you to make poor food choices;
- Drinks may interfere with the beneficial effects of oral diabetes medications or insulin;
- Alcohol can increase triglyceride levels;
- Alcohol can increase blood pressure;
- Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and slurred speech.
Rules of use
Patients with type 2 diabetes who drank relatively little alcohol had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who abstained, according to a study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.
In general, alcohol consumption recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes are the same as for all other diabetics: no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Note! A serving of wine is 1 glass of 100 ml, a serving of beer is 425-450 ml, a serving of strong alcoholic drink (vodka, cognac, rum) is from 30 to 100 ml.
General consumption rules include:
- Mixing alcoholic drinks with water or unsweetened soda instead of sugary sodas;
- After you have drunk an alcoholic drink, switch to mineral water for the rest of the day;
- Make sure you follow a healthy eating plan on the day you drink to avoid overeating and overload. Alcohol can make you more relaxed and cause you to eat more than usual;
- Don't drink on an empty stomach! Alcohol has a very rapid effect of lowering blood glucose levels, which will slow down if there is already food in the stomach.
If, after drinking alcohol, the patient’s blood sugar level rises or falls sharply, in order to remove it from the body, it is necessary to take several tablets of activated charcoal and urgently seek medical help.
The following measures should also be taken:
- Give the patient to drink as much as possible, usually mineral water;
- Artificially induce vomiting;
- Take a warm contrast shower;
- Drink a glass of strong unsweetened tea.
Alcohol can worsen nerve damage from diabetes and increase the pain, burning, tingling and numbness that patients with nerve damage often experience.
If you have complications associated with diabetes, you should be more careful about drinking alcohol. More than three drinks a day can worsen diabetic retinopathy. And even if you drink fewer than two drinks a week, you can still increase your risk of nerve damage (overdrinking alcohol can cause nerve damage, even in people without diabetes). Alcohol can also increase levels of fatty triglycerides in the blood, causing your cholesterol to spike.
Very important! Please note that if your glucose values constantly fluctuate and cannot be balanced by taking medications or following a healthy diet, then drinking alcohol is strictly contraindicated for you!
Finally
It is important to understand that everything is good in moderation. One glass of dry red wine with dinner a couple of times a week will not cause irreversible complications in the development of type 2 diabetes, but excessive uncontrolled consumption of alcohol can cause dangerous consequences.
Consult your doctor or nutritionist before drinking alcohol, only a doctor can give you the right recommendations on nutrition and alcohol consumption.
People suffering from diabetes must adhere to a healthy lifestyle and follow a certain diet. However, many people are interested in whether it is possible to drink alcohol if you have diabetes.
Holidays are not complete without alcohol, and a person suffering from diabetes does not know how to behave at the table.
Many people are interested in whether it is possible to drink alcohol with type 1). This article will describe the basic rules regarding the consumption of alcohol by diabetics.
Effects of alcohol on a diabetic
Do alcohol and diabetes go together? Once in the body of a diabetic, alcohol has a specific effect. The drink disrupts the production of glucose in liver tissue. It is reduced and the effect of insulin increases.
When drinking alcohol, it is quickly absorbed into the blood. Drinks are processed by the liver, so if a person takes insulin or pills to stimulate insulin production, drinking alcohol can cause a sharp drop in blood sugar levels as liver function is impaired. Alcohol can trigger hypoglycemia. It also causes enormous harm to the cardiovascular system. May result in death.
Compatibility with alcohol
There are two opinions about whether alcohol and diabetes go together.
The vast majority of doctors are firmly convinced that:
- When drinking alcoholic beverages, there is a significant decrease in blood sugar levels, which can trigger the development of hypoglycemia.
- A patient who is intoxicated may fall asleep and not notice the first symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Alcohol provokes confusion, which causes hasty decisions, including when taking medications.
- If a person suffering from diabetes has problems with the kidneys and liver, then drinking such drinks can cause an exacerbation of diseases of these organs.
- Alcohol has a destructive effect on the heart and blood vessels.
- Alcohol can increase appetite, which can cause excessive food consumption and, as a result, an increase in blood sugar.
- Alcohol increases blood pressure.
The second opinion is that with diabetes you can drink alcohol, only in very moderate quantities.
There are a number of basic rules to avoid its harmful effects on the body.
A person suffering from diabetes is advised to:
- do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach;
- drink only strong drinks or dry red wine;
- keep your blood sugar levels under control.
This opinion is shared by patients who do not comply with strict doctor’s instructions and do not want to change the usual lifestyle that they led before they were diagnosed with diabetes.
Main types of diabetes
Diabetes is caused by abnormalities at the genetic level, and can also be caused by a viral infection of the body or result from a malfunction of the immune system.
Often the disease is the result of poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance, pancreatic pathology, as well as treatment with certain drugs.
Experts identify the following types of diabetes:
- non-insulin dependent;
- insulin dependent.
Non-insulin dependent diabetes (type 2)
How does non-insulin dependent diabetes (type 2) manifest? It is characterized by slow development. This condition is accompanied by itching in the genital area. With this pathology, skin manifestations of a fungal or bacterial nature develop.
Insulin-dependent form of diabetes (type 1)
It is characteristic of young patients and is characterized by rapid development. This type of disease provokes a constant feeling of thirst. A diabetic experiences a sharp decrease in weight, an increase in the volume of urine excreted, and muscle weakness. If the patient does not receive proper treatment, he may develop ketoacidosis with loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
General symptoms
Both types of disease have complications such as:
- disturbances in the functioning of the heart;
- vascular atherosclerosis;
- tendency to inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system;
- damage to the nervous system;
- various skin pathologies;
- fatty liver;
- weakening of the immune system;
- joint degeneration;
- fragility of teeth.
Often, a sharp change in blood sugar is associated with symptoms that are similar to intoxication. The patient begins to stagger, becomes drowsy, weak and disoriented. Persons suffering from diabetes are recommended to have a doctor's report with a precise indication of the existing pathology.
Precautionary rules
Alcohol in diabetes provokes a decrease in the production of glucose by the liver, which is dangerous for sick people who drink alcohol on an empty stomach or after sports training.
If a diabetic drinks alcoholic beverages too often, he experiences surges in blood pressure, an increased threshold for the development of hypoglycemia, numbness in the limbs and signs of neuropathy.
This reaction to alcohol is not uncommon. If you drink alcohol in limited quantities and constantly monitor insulin levels, the likelihood of side effects is minimized.
If a person has diabetes, can you drink alcohol every day? Limiting the amount does not mean that you can drink alcohol every day. The optimal intake would be minimal, no more than twice a week.
Basic rules for drinking alcohol if you have diabetes
What should a diabetic who drinks alcohol know? Can you drink any alcohol if you have diabetes? There are several types of alcoholic beverages that are strictly prohibited to drink if you have a disease.
This list includes:
- liquor;
- champagne;
- beer;
- sweet dessert wine;
- soda containing a low concentration of alcohol.
In addition, you should not drink alcohol:
- on empty stomach;
- more than once a week;
- in parallel with a means that helps lower the temperature;
- during or after sports.
The golden rule should be constant monitoring of blood sugar levels. Check it before drinking alcohol. If it's low, don't drink. If there is such a need, then you should take a drug that increases sugar levels.
If you have drunk more alcohol than expected, you should check your sugar level before going to bed. Usually in this case it is lowered. Doctors advise eating something to raise it.
Many people are interested in whether alcohol for diabetes can be mixed with other drinks. In this case, it is recommended to select a low-calorie combination. It is recommended to avoid sweetened drinks, juices and syrups.
If you have doubts about your future well-being, tell the person who will be nearby about a possible reaction from the body. In this case, you will be able to receive timely assistance. It is very important.
Is it possible to drink vodka?
Can a diabetic drink vodka? To answer this question, you should pay attention to the composition of the drink. It contains alcohol diluted with water. It does not contain any impurities or additives. However, we are talking about an ideal vodka recipe, which not all manufacturers adhere to. Modern products contain various chemical impurities that have a negative effect on the human body.
Vodka helps lower glucose levels, which can cause hypoglycemia. The drink in combination with insulin medications interferes with the production of the required amount of cleansing hormones that help the liver absorb alcohol.
But in some cases, vodka helps stabilize the condition of a diabetic. Patients with type 2 diabetes can drink vodka. In this case, alcohol is able to optimize the condition if the sugar level becomes higher than the permissible norm. At the same time, it is recommended to consume no more than 100 g of the drink per day, snacking on vodka with food of average calorie content.
The drink helps activate digestion and break down sugar, but at the same time disrupts metabolic processes in the body. In this case, it would be better to consult your doctor.
Drinking wine
Many scientists believe that drinking dry red wine cannot harm the body. However, for a diabetic, drinking alcohol is always fraught with complications.
Dry red wine contains substances beneficial to the body - polyphenols. They are able to control blood glucose levels. When drinking this alcohol, a diabetic should pay attention to the percentage of sugar in the drink. The most optimal rate is no more than 5%. Therefore, doctors recommend dry red wine, although they note that you should not abuse it either.
Is it possible to drink alcohol in unlimited quantities if you have diabetes? It is recommended to consume no more than 200 g at a time, and for daily use 30-50 g will be sufficient.
Drinking beer
Many people, especially men, prefer beer to alcoholic drinks. It is considered a high-calorie product that contains a large amount of carbohydrates. Therefore, it is not recommended for people suffering from diabetes.
Beer is also alcohol. For type 2 diabetes mellitus, one glass is unlikely to cause harm. But in insulin-dependent patients, the drink can cause a glycemic attack. Therefore, alcohol for type 1 diabetes and insulin are a dangerous combination. Often a coma is provoked, which can cause death.
Many diabetics mistakenly believe that beer does not cause any harm to their health. This opinion is based on the fact that yeast has a positive effect. Often this product is used for prophylactic purposes. When a diabetic consumes brewer's yeast, healthy metabolism is restored, liver function and hematopoiesis are optimized. But this effect is caused by the use of yeast, not beer.
Available contraindications
There are certain conditions of the body in which alcohol and diabetes are in no way compatible:
- Increased tendency to hypoglycemia.
- Presence of gout.
- Reduced kidney functionality in combination with such pathology as nature.
- Increased triglyceride levels when drinking alcohol, which causes a disruption in fat metabolism.
- Excessive alcohol consumption during chronic pancreatitis can trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- A diabetic has hepatitis or cirrhosis, which is quite common.
- Taking Metformin. This drug is usually prescribed for type 2 disease. Combining alcohol with this medicine provokes the development of lactic acidosis.
- Presence of diabetic neuropathy. Ethyl alcohol provokes damage to peripheral nerves.
Meals should be taken three to five times evenly and should include different types of foods.
Of particular danger is the development of late hypoglycemia, when the pathological picture appears several hours after drinking alcohol. It is very difficult to stop such an attack due to a sharp decrease in glycogen in the liver. Moreover, this condition can manifest itself after occasional drinking of alcohol on an empty stomach.
Dose limitation
If a person has diabetes, drinking alcohol should be limited.
- beer - 355 ml;
- wine - 148 ml;
- strong whiskey, port wine, rum, etc.) - 50 ml.
Conclusion
Alcohol and diabetes, according to many doctors, do not go together. Drinking alcohol can cause a sharp drop in blood sugar. Doctors strongly recommend abstaining from drinking alcohol. But if it is not always possible to follow this rule, then you should adhere to clear recommendations regarding the rules for drinking drinks by people suffering from impaired glucose production.
Alcohol in type 2 diabetes is allowed to be consumed only when blood glucose levels have stabilized. When drinking drinks, you must follow safety rules, otherwise the risk of sudden jumps in sugar concentration increases. Permissible maximum doses depend on the type of alcohol, since products differ in carbohydrate and ethanol content.
Potential benefits
Wine can have a moderate beneficial effect. It contains polyphenols that have antioxidant properties. Natural pigments slightly reduce the severity of diabetes symptoms. The product is not able to cure the patient, but if used correctly, it can slightly improve the condition.
Drinking wine in moderation has the following effects:
- Improves protein absorption. Diabetes promotes the breakdown of skeletal muscle. With decompensation, the process accelerates. It is important not only to consume enough protein foods to maintain the normal state of the muscle corset, but also to establish metabolism. With the development of complications from the genitourinary system, the factor can be harmful, so the diet must be agreed with a doctor.
- The feeling of hunger decreases. An important condition is the simultaneous intake of food rich in complex carbohydrates. Small doses of wine, when used with caution, can help reduce body weight.
- The amount of carbohydrate compounds released into the blood decreases. In the long term, this leads to normalization of metabolism and improvement of the condition. It becomes easier to control medication dosages and glucose levels.
If safety rules are not followed, alcohol is not beneficial.
Harm
Alcohol is dangerous due to its ethyl alcohol and carbohydrate content. Some drinks contain large amounts of sugar, which can further aggravate the pathology.
Ethyl alcohol is not converted by the liver into glucose, so the component itself does not affect sugar levels. However, alcohol disrupts metabolic processes and causes a slowdown in gluconeogenesis. As a result, some of the nutrients are not converted into sugar, causing sugar levels to drop. This complicates calculations when creating a menu. With large doses of alcohol, hypoglycemia develops.
To stabilize the patient, it is enough to increase the amount of carbohydrates, but as a result this causes a new jump. After partial removal of alcohol from the body, the glucose concentration increases sharply. This is most dangerous when drinking large doses of beer. For further stabilization, the patient must use medications. After alcohol is completely removed from the body, the sugar concentration drops again. If the effects of the drugs persist, the condition becomes more difficult to control.
Caution should be exercised when taking insulin or other medications at the same time. Alcohol affects the effect of drugs. First, the effectiveness of the drugs increases, which should be taken into account when calculating the dose. With regular use, the body removes foreign substances faster, so the medications have a weaker effect. Increasing doses may cause side effects from other systems.
Additionally, alcohol has the following effects on the body:
- Appetite increases and will weakens. There is a possibility of breaking the diet and worsening the condition.
- An additional source of energy appears. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories. If the chosen product contains a large amount of sugar, the situation worsens. With regular use, the patient becomes overweight, which aggravates the course of the underlying disease.
- Blood pressure rises. After drinking alcohol, the level of blood viscosity simultaneously changes. This increases the risk of developing concomitant pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
- Allergic reactions occur. In diabetes they are more difficult to tolerate. The development of allergies is most often associated with the presence of additional impurities. Pure ethanol rarely produces individual reactions. Some allergy symptoms may be mistaken for hypoglycemia or signs of intoxication.
- Triglyceride levels increase. This leads to metabolic disorders.
Due to its irritating effect and poor circulation, alcohol worsens the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause additional deviations in the production of enzymes and the absorption of food.
How can I use it?
You can drink alcohol only with compensation and after a doctor’s permission. A face-to-face consultation is necessary to assess the patient’s condition and identify additional contraindications.
When drinking alcoholic beverages, the following rules must be observed:
- Consider dietary changes. Alcohol contains calories and carbohydrates. On the day of drinking, you need to reduce the amount of food you eat.
- Do not drink on an empty stomach. Before drinking alcohol, you need to have a snack to soften the changes. It is advisable to prefer foods containing fiber.
- Control your sugar levels. Some drinks can have an individual effect. If hypoglycemia develops, it is necessary to artificially induce vomiting, take a contrast shower, use activated carbon, drink strong tea or mineral water and seek medical help.
- Warn others and loved ones about your intentions. Signs of sugar deficiency can be mistaken for intoxication, causing others to be slow to help.
- Do not drink alcohol more than once every 4 days. Regular consumption of drinks will cause a deterioration in the effect of medications and metabolic disorders.
- Temporarily stop drinking alcohol after changing the course of treatment. When taking new drugs, it is important to monitor the patient's condition and achieve stabilization.
- Women are only allowed to take half the maximum daily dose.
Before drinking alcohol, it is important to decide on the type of drink. The maximum permitted dose depends on it.
Wine
Wine is believed to reduce blood sugar within 24 hours. This must be taken into account when drinking the drink and monitoring glucose levels. For type 2 diabetes, it is allowed to include dry red or white wine in the menu. Sweet and sparkling types must be removed from the diet, as they lead to a sharp increase in sugar levels. The maximum daily dose is 250 ml.
Vodka
Vodka has a relatively high calorie content and contains a lot of alcohol. This can lead to a sharp decrease in sugar levels and excess weight. After receiving a doctor's permission, you can use 20-50 ml of the product 1-2 times a week. It is important to combine vodka with lunch or dinner to prevent the development of a critical condition.
Beer
Beer contains little ethanol and a lot of carbohydrates, so it is the best option. It is allowed to consume up to 300 ml per evening. It is necessary to take into account the number of calories and adjust the dose of drugs. There are no strict restrictions when drinking non-alcoholic beer, since the ethanol concentration is insignificant, but you should remember the balance of nutrients.
Cognac
Cognac contains little glucose, but a lot of alcohol. Due to the small amount of impurities, the drink rarely causes allergies. Its use may be approved by a doctor. The maximum dose is 20-50 ml. Strong alcohol can cause diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, so if there are any other deviations from cognac, you should avoid drinking cognac.
Vermouth
Vermouth is a sweet alcoholic drink that contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates. Its use may cause sudden spikes in glucose levels. If you have type 2 diabetes, it is strongly recommended to avoid vermouth.
Tequila
Tequila is high in calories and contains relatively many carbohydrates. However, the drink is made from agave, so it contains an organic sweetener. As a result, the product increases insulin production and gently reduces triglyceride and glucose levels. Tequila helps restore the balance of microflora and improves digestion. The maximum dose is 20-30 ml. It is important to monitor the patient's condition, because in some cases the drink can cause hypoglycemia.
Gin
There are no carbohydrates in gin, so the product dramatically reduces sugar levels. Traditionally, the drink is drunk with sweet additives, but this is prohibited in case of diabetes. Gin relatively rarely causes allergies. If you are in good health, your doctor may allow you to use the product. The maximum dose is 30-40 ml.
Whiskey
The drink contains a lot of ethanol, so it can cause hypoglycemia. A relatively safe dose, if the rules are followed, is considered to be 20-50 ml. You can only drink whiskey if your sugar level is stable.
Rum
Rum is a strong drink. It can cause a decrease in glucose concentration. If your sugar level is stable, your doctor may allow you to drink alcohol. The maximum dose is 20-50 ml depending on the gender and condition of the patient.
Consequences
Drinking alcohol can cause not only the development of concomitant diseases, but also sharp jumps in sugar levels. It becomes difficult to control the patient's condition, because ethanol impairs glucose production, and carbohydrates increase its concentration. As a result, the patient has to alternate between taking medications and adjusting the menu. This is fraught with the development of coma. The key danger is that the symptoms of hypoglycemia resemble signs of intoxication, so others may not immediately identify the threat.
DIABETES AND ALCOHOL. Is alcohol acceptable for diabetes mellitus? What and how much?
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Absolute contraindications
Absolute contraindications include:
- chronic pancreatitis (including in remission);
- hepatitis, cirrhosis and other liver diseases;
- any metabolic disorders;
- period of decompensation;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- the presence of ketone bodies in the urine;
- development of complications of diabetes (encephalopathy, cardiosclerosis, neuropathy, nephropathy, etc.).
Alcohol is dangerous for diabetes because it interacts with insulin and places an increased load on the liver and pancreas, causing disturbances in their functioning. In addition, it also serves as a source of sugar. Is it okay to drink alcohol if you have diabetes? Let's figure it out.
Types of diabetes and alcohol
Depending on the type of diabetes - type 1 or 2 - the body reacts to doses of alcohol differently. Alcoholic drinks are in any case unacceptable in a regular diet, but there are some nuances.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease that is more common in young people. Patients require lifelong insulin replacement therapy in combination with limiting the amount of carbohydrates in the diet. A moderate dose of ethanol in type 1 diabetes causes increased sensitivity of the body to insulin. But this effect cannot be used for medicinal purposes, since the process proceeds uncontrollably, has a negative effect on the liver and can quickly lead to hypoglycemia.
Alcoholic drinks do not fit into the diet of a patient with type 1 diabetes. The maximum that a doctor can allow a man is 500 g of light beer or 250 g of wine no more than once a week. The dose for a woman is half that. You should not drink alcohol on an empty stomach, after physical exercise or overexertion, when glycogen levels are low.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is common in people over 40 years of age. It involves daily monitoring of insulin levels through dietary adjustments. With this form, alcoholic drinks are allowed on the menu, provided that doses are kept to a minimum. It should be remembered that alcohol rapidly lowers glucose concentrations. If you are completely dependent on insulin, it is strictly prohibited. Those for whom the doctor has authorized a minimum dose should remember that if the metabolism is impaired, the breakdown products of ethanol are poorly excreted from the body and cause pronounced signs of intoxication. It should also be borne in mind that alcohol is incompatible with many medications, including insulin.
Prediabetes
In prediabetes, diet plays a major role in therapy and inhibits the progression of the disease to a chronic form. Alcohol in this case is a damaging factor, so it is not included in the diet. In exceptional circumstances, 150 ml of dry wine or 250 ml of beer may be allowed. If there is an excess of purines in the blood, diseases of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, or atherosclerosis, drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Sugar aspect
Ethyl alcohol itself does not increase blood sugar and is not a source of it. But alcoholic drinks mainly contain carbohydrate additives. Therefore, before agreeing to a particular aperitif, you should clarify how much sugar it contains. If the strength of the drink exceeds 38°, there is usually little sugar in it. There is also little sugar in dry wines, and dessert brands and cocktails are rich in carbohydrates and are prohibited for diabetes. After drinking the drink, monitor your condition using a glucometer.
Types of alcohol for diabetes
Not all wine products are suitable for diabetes. Allowed alcoholic drinks must not contain sugar.
Wine made from red grapes is considered the safest for health. It should be taken into account that dry brands contain 3–5% sugar, semi-dry – up to 5%, semi-sweet – 3–8%. In other varieties, the carbohydrate content can reach 10% or more. If you have diabetes, you should give preference to wines with a sugar level below 5%. You are allowed to consume up to 50 g of dry wine per day, but not more than 200 g per week. Alcohol can only be consumed on a full stomach or with carbohydrate foods (bread, potatoes). If you are planning friendly get-togethers over a glass of wine, then the dose of medications should be reduced. Sweet wines and liqueurs are absolutely prohibited.
Dry and semi-dry varieties of red wine are considered the safest types of alcohol for diabetics.
Vodka is a controversial drink. Ideally, it should consist of water and alcohol dissolved in it without additives or impurities. But in stores, the quality of an alcoholic drink almost always leaves much to be desired, so if you have diabetes, you should abstain from it. Once in the body, vodka lowers blood sugar and sharply provokes hypoglycemia. When using insulin drugs, the cleansing of toxins by the liver is slowed down. On the other hand, if a patient with type 2 diabetes has critically high glucose levels, vodka will help temporarily stabilize the levels. The permissible dose is 100 g of drink per day, but you should first consult your doctor.
Beer is one of the permitted alcoholic beverages. But for type 2 diabetes, the portion should be limited to 300 ml, and for type 1 diabetes, when it is necessary to take insulin, the drink is prohibited.
Effect of ethyl on gluconeogenesis
Ethyl alcohol indirectly lowers blood sugar levels. This is due to the fact that it interferes with the functioning of the liver and pancreas.
Ethyl alcohol is poison. When it enters the blood, hepatocytes switch from glucose synthesis (gluconeogenesis) to detoxification. Thus, the work of the liver is partially blocked. If alcohol contains sugar, it loads the pancreas, which produces insulin at an accelerated pace. As a result, when you consume an aperitif with a meal, your blood sugar levels decrease due to the suppression of gluconeogenesis.
On a low-carbohydrate diet, the dose of short-term insulin before meals is calculated based on the fact that 7.5% of proteins will be converted into glucose. After drinking an aperitif, this amount of insulin will be excessive, blood sugar will drop to critical levels, and hypoglycemia will begin. The severity of the condition will depend on the dose of alcohol and insulin and the degree of compensation. An attack of hypoglycemia can be stopped by eating a little sweet, but after relief there will be a jump in blood sugar, which is difficult to stabilize.
With severe hypoglycemia, the symptoms are similar to those of normal alcohol intoxication, and this is most dangerous because others may not realize that the diabetic needs emergency help. To distinguish intoxication from hypoglycemia, it is enough to measure the blood sugar level with a glucometer (the first such device was invented precisely to distinguish drunk people from patients with diabetic coma). Strangers may also not know how to use the meter to help you. Therefore, if you are going to have a drink in company, warn others about the possible consequences, or better yet, control your condition yourself and refrain from having an aperitif.
Safety regulations
If you suffer from diabetes and intend to indulge in some alcohol, you should follow safety rules. They will help avoid hypoglycemic coma and possibly save lives.
Drink alcohol no more than 1-2 times a week. During the feast, eat foods rich in carbohydrates: they will maintain the desired level of glucose in the blood. You can also eat starchy foods, which slow down the absorption of ethanol. After drinking alcohol, you need to measure your glucose level and, if necessary, make up for the carbohydrate deficiency with food. The test should be repeated before going to bed.
Beer is a relatively safe alcoholic drink, which is acceptable for diabetes in amounts up to 300 ml. It is low in carbohydrates. Vodka can only be drunk with the consent of a doctor.
Alcohol is prohibited after physical activity, which lower blood sugar levels, as well as on an empty stomach. This is harmful even for healthy people, not to mention diabetics. Alcohol should not be consumed with fatty or salty foods.
Alcohol in any form is prohibited for some people with diabetes.. These are individuals with a predisposition to hypoglycemia, to a sharp increase in triglyceride levels. Avoid drinking alcohol if you have cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis or pancreatitis. Alcoholic drinks cannot be combined with metformin: this will lead to lactic acidosis.
After you drink, watch for symptoms of impending hypoglycemia. These are trembling in the body, sweating, pathological fear, dizziness, hunger, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, headache, irritability, weakness and fatigue. Unfortunately, it becomes much more difficult for a person suffering from diabetes to control their symptoms while intoxicated, so completely abstaining from alcohol is the safest way out.
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