Alcohol and diabetes

Alcohol and diabetes do not always mix very well. Having diabetes does not mean you have to avoid alcohol, but drinking too much or drinking at the wrong time can cause problems. There is nothing wrong with a person with diabetes having an occasional beer or glass of wine and is probably good for you but getting drunk is really not such a good idea. If your diabetes is treated with tablets or insulin then one too many could be dangerous.

The advice on alcohol consumption will depend to some extent on the type of treatment you use to manage your diabetes and any other medication being prescribed.

Heavy drinking on a regular basis can lead to numerous health problems, some of which you may already be at risk of because you have diabetes.

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with:

• Liver disease

• High blood pressure

• High blood fat levels

• Heart disease

• Circulation problems

• Nerve damage

• Some cancers

How much can I drink?

The maximum amount you should drink in any one week is:

• 21 units for men

• 14 units for women

(These figures are for people with diabetes and are less than the recommended limits for the general population)

A unit of alcohol amounts to:

• 1/2 pint of beer, lager or cider

• 1 pub measure of sherry, vermouth, aperitif or liqueur

• 1 standard glass of wine

• 1 pub measure of spirit (e.g. gin, vodka or whisky)

Alcohol contains a large amount of calories, which many people with diabetes could do without.

• 1/2 pint of beer, lager contains 90 kcal

• A bottle (275 ml) of strong lager contains 120 kcal

• A standard glass of sweet white wine contains 100 kcal

• A standard glass of dry white wine contains 70 kcal

• 1 pub measure of spirit contains 65 kcal

Alcohol is sometimes called the "empty calorie drink" since it has very little nutritional value.

If you are trying to lose weight then cutting down on alcohol is often a good place to start.

Hypoglycaemia and alcohol

Alcohol actually has the effect of lowering blood glucose levels.

So, if you are taking insulin or certain oral medications* for your diabetes, drinking alcohol can make you more susceptible to having a “hypo”.

* Tablets that increase the production of insulin – i.e. sulphonylureas or glinides – increase the risk of alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia.

Alcohol is more likely to cause a hypo if you drink on an empty stomach. If you are on insulin, sulphonylureas or glinides then it is safest to only drink alcohol at mealtimes. If you are tempted to drink on an empty stomach then be sure to eat a snack at the same time.

Hypoglycaemia that results from drinking alcohol can be sudden and severe. To complicate matters, if you are under the influence then you may not realise that your blood glucose level is dropping. Your friends may not realise either; they may mistake your unsteadiness or confusion for drunkenness.

Hypoglycaemia will often occur during the night after an evening drinking session. And unfortunately the effects of the alcohol may mean that you don’t wake up until your blood sugar is very low.

Take sensible precautions

• Test your blood glucose level before and after drinking, and especially before bed
• Never drink on an empty stomach
• Always make sure that you eat some carbohydrate foods when drinking alcohol
• Always have a bedtime snack
• Tell your friends that you have diabetes and make sure that they know the signs to look out for, should you have a hypo
• Always carry – or preferably wear – some diabetic identification