Facts About Diabetes and Alcohol Use

On This Page Diabetes, Alcohol, and Social Drinking Effects of Alcohol on Diabetes Can I Drink Alcohol If I Have Type 2 Diabetes? Does alcohol affect blood sugar levels in diabetes? Other problems related to alcohol and diabetes What do I need to be careful of when it comes to diabetes and alcohol? Is drinking alcohol with diabetes dangerous? Drinking alcohol can contribute to the conditions that cause diabetes I have diabetes, is it still safe to drink alcohol? The Alcohol and Diabetes Guide How much alcohol and what type is best with diabetes? Diabetes: Does alcohol and tobacco use increase my risk? Diabetes, Alcohol, and Social Drinking Research shows that drinking between about two and four alcoholic drinks daily greatly reduces the risk of hyperglycemia in obese people. This, in turn, reduces the risk of diabetes. That’s because obesity increases the risk of hypoglycemia. But alcohol reduces the risk of hypoglycemia. 20 (u. S. Guidelines identify one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men as moderate drinking. This study defines having between about two and four drinks per day as light to moderate. It finds these levels provide health benefits. Official government guidelines are somewhat arbitrary. That’s because they are molded by social and political forces. If you have diabetes, heavy or binge drinking can be dangerous. But moderate drinking can be less risky if you remain cognizant of your health while using alcohol. Before you go to a bar or attend social drinking situations, consider these strategies for protecting your health. Effects of Alcohol on Diabetes The flavonoids and other antioxidants in wine can protect the heart and blood vessels from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals produced by the body. This is particularly true for diabetics because they have been shown to have a high production of free oxygen radicals. But there isn’t any scientific evidence specifically related to alcohol consumption and diabetes. On the downside, excessive drinking can increase the risk of high blood pressure, and people with diabetes are already at high risk. For all people, alcohol can lower blood sugar. If your

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