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Opinions of experts on whether it is possible to drink alcohol in diabetes differ dramatically. Some argue that for diabetics, regardless of the type of disease, all alcohol is prohibited, others correct for reality and advise how to reduce the risk in cases where it is difficult to give up alcohol. To see which one is right, let’s look at how ethanol affects blood sugar levels.
Once in the stomach, ethanol is quickly absorbed into the blood. The liver does not care what pleasure its owner received, it perceives alcohol as a poison and throws all resources into its neutralization. The more ethanol, the greater the load on the liver.
Alcohol partially or completely blocks the production of glucose by the liver. A healthy person does not feel this, but a diabetic who takes medication to lower blood sugar becomes hypoglycemic. If it is still acceptable not to take pills in type 2 diabetes, then insulin-dependent patients with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk. Moreover, the symptoms of hypoglycemia: pallor, weakness, dizziness, inability to concentrate, are very similar to intoxication. Others may simply not attach importance to the condition of the patient.
Blood sugar drops sharply and quickly if you drink a strong alcoholic drink on an empty stomach. If you first eat a dish containing complex carbohydrates (porridge, potatoes, durum wheat pasta, stewed unsweetened vegetables), they compensate for the effect of alcohol.
However, not everything is so simple: the effect of alcohol largely depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. Some patients feel great immediately after drinking alcohol, but after 2-6 hours, ethanol provokes delayed hypoglycemia. If this happens at night, during sleep, there is a possibility of hypoglycemic coma.
It should be borne in mind that hypoglycemia in diabetics is caused by strong drinks: vodka, cognac, whiskey, moonshine, tequila, rum. Drinking low-alcohol alcohol often leads to an increase in blood sugar levels, which is no less dangerous.
But even if alcohol does not cause any unpleasant symptoms, a diabetic should not drink a lot of alcohol. Under the influence of alcohol, a person loses control over himself and begins to eat those foods that are contraindicated for him.
Maximum allowable doses of alcohol in diabetes
The effect of ethanol on the body is not always negative. For example, in the field, when there are no medicines at hand, and the diabetic’s blood sugar level has risen significantly, experienced doctors recommend giving the patient a tablespoon of vodka.
American scientists who conducted research to find out whether alcohol is possible in diabetes, came to the conclusion that a little high-quality alcohol will not hurt patients. For example, Amina Ahmed, an employee of the health organization Kaiser Permanente, believes that drinking small amounts of alcohol helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
The maximum permissible doses of alcohol have been established:
- strong drinks: for men – 100 ml, for women – 50 ml;
- wine: for men – 200 ml, for women – 100-150 ml;
- beer: for men – 300 ml, for women – 150 ml.
Such doses can be consumed no more than 1 time per week, but only if alcohol does not cause a deterioration in the condition of a diabetic patient.
Selection of hard drinks
Of the strong drinks for diabetics, vodka is preferable: it does not contain any additives. Tequila, cognac, rum and whiskey are allowed only if they are not tinted with caramel. High-quality home-made moonshine of double distillation is also not prohibited. From tinctures you need to choose those in which there is no sugar. Sweet liqueurs are dangerous to drink. Mixing strong alcohol with juices is not recommended: the combination of ethanol with fructose is harmful to the liver.
Wine selection
Diabetics can drink only dry wines in which the sugar content does not exceed 5%: from white – Riesling, Chardonnay, from red – Merlot. Artificially carbonated champagnes are bad, but some brut or natural carbonated dry champagne is allowed.
beer selection
Beer in diabetes should be treated with extreme caution. It’s not even about how many calories the drink has and how it affects blood sugar levels, but that it contributes to weight gain. The more overweight a diabetic is, the more severe the symptoms of the disease. With an increase in body weight, beer should be abandoned.
Cocktails
Drinking cocktails with diabetes is strongly discouraged. They often contain sweeteners and a variety of chemical additives that are harmful to the liver. Cocktails with Coca-Cola are especially dangerous.
Rules of Use
Drinking alcohol is stressful for the body. Therefore, patients with diabetes need to learn how to drink alcohol correctly:
- you can not drink alcohol on an empty stomach;
- it is forbidden to drink alcohol after heavy physical exertion: work on a personal plot or at a construction site, carrying weights, sports training;
- if you are going to drink alcohol with type 2 diabetes, you need to stop taking medications that reduce blood sugar levels. Patients with type 1 diabetes need to reduce the dosage of insulin;
- on the day of the feast, it is better to stop taking carbohydrate blockers (“Metformin”, “Acarbose”);
- you should have a glucometer with you and periodically measure the level of sugar in the blood;
- when symptoms of hypoglycemia appear, you should drink sweet tea (with a tablespoon of sugar), a glass of fruit juice, eat 5-6 lollipops, or take 15 g of glucose. After 15 minutes, you need to measure the level of sugar in the blood;
- you can’t eat alcohol with fish and seafood: polyunsaturated acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 in combination with ethanol adversely affect the liver;
- you can not drink alcohol with juices, eat sweet fruits;
- Before drinking alcohol, you should read its composition indicated on the label. It is better to refuse doubtful alcohol;
- it is necessary to tell friends about your illness so that in case of a coma they call a doctor;
- before going to bed, you need to set an alarm clock so that you wake up several times a night and measure your sugar level.
When you should not drink alcohol with diabetes (contraindications)
Diabetes often leads to severe diseases of the internal organs. It is forbidden to drink alcohol when:
- pathologies of the kidneys;
- cirrhosis of the liver and chronic hepatitis;
- diseases of the pancreas;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- frequent hypoglycemic crises.
The maximum allowable norms of alcohol for each person are different. A diabetic should never drink alcohol. About how often to drink strong drinks and whether it is allowed to do it at all, it is better to consult with your doctor.
Attention! Self-medication can be dangerous, consult your doctor.