The GLP-1 drugs were shown to be even more effective than naltrexone, which is regarded as the best drug for alcohol use disorder. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The same is true of cocktails made with regular soda or mixers, simple syrup, and other types of added sugar, or fruit juice.

A person should avoid sweetened liquor or alcohol mixed with sodas or punch. Read more here about the difference between type 1 and type 2 What Is Salvia Use, Effects, Risks, and More diabetes.

1. As a result, sugar alcohols don’t typically lead to sudden spikes in your blood glucose levels like you’d see when consuming regular sugar.
2. The risk of hypoglycemia is why experts advise people with diabetes not to drink alcohol if their blood sugar is already low.
3. Alcohol can cause blood glucose levels to rise or fall, depending on how much you drink.
4. This is especially true if you’re taking insulin or other diabetes medications that can cause low blood sugars.
5. And if you have type 2 diabetes, drinking alcohol may have some benefits—such as lowering glucose levels in the blood—and some real risks, like driving glucose levels down too low.
6. He completed a combined seven-year BS/MD program with Union College and Albany Medical College in New York.

Talk with your provider if you or someone you know with diabetes has an alcohol problem. The important thing to understand, though, is that this presumed benefit is just a theory. There is no research to show a definite link between drinking red wine and improved diabetes management.

While alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, it also has the potential to increase them. Regular, long-term use of alcohol has been shown to increase insulin resistance. But even those who have type 2 diabetes who take medication may be vulnerable to hypoglycemia unawareness, even though their blood sugar levels are more likely to skew high than low.

Who Should Not Drink Alcohol?

Dr. Pinsker served as a physician in the United States Army in both Active Duty and in the California Army National Guard for more than 20 years. He completed a combined seven-year BS/MD program with Union College and Albany Medical College in New York. Dr. Pinsker is board certified in Clinical Informatics, Pediatric Endocrinology, and General Pediatrics. You can read about many of his studies on his Google Scholar page. The short answer is yes, but anyone living with diabetes should be mindful if they are going to drink.

For many people, the occasional glass of alcohol does not pose a problem. However, for people with diabetes, alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels. Keep reading to learn more about how alcohol affects people with diabetes, including types of alcohol and how alcohol may cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels. The relationship between type 2 diabetes and alcohol is complex. While moderate alcohol consumption lowers blood sugar, heavy consumption is harmful to diabetes and other aspects of health. After you drink alcohol, your blood sugar levels can drop up to 24 hours later.

How Much Alcohol Can I Drink?

This type of sweetener also requires minimal amounts of insulin to be metabolized and is converted into glucose by your body at a much slower pace. As a result, sugar alcohols don’t typically lead to sudden spikes in your blood glucose levels like you’d see when consuming regular sugar. Sugar alcohols are naturally found sweeteners derived from plants like fruits and vegetables. This sugar substitute contains fewer calories than traditional sugar and is less likely to cause your blood glucose levels to spike.

How Does Alcohol Impact Type 1 Diabetes?

As a result, sugar alcohols, like Sorbitol and Xylitol,have become more popular in many commercially available foods. Your body processes alcohol differently than most foods and beverages. And if you have type 2 diabetes, drinking alcohol may have some benefits—such as lowering glucose levels in the blood—and some real risks, like driving glucose levels down too low. Talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol to make sure alcohol won’t reduce the effectiveness of your medication. It’s also best to have a meal or snack that includes carbohydrates when you are drinking alcohol. This will help reduce the risk that your blood sugar will drop too low.

What to know about type 2 diabetes and alcohol

When blood sugar levels dip too low, the liver converts glycogen into glucose. This glucose is released into the bloodstream to bring levels up to normal. Vomiting can lead to either low blood sugars (if you puked food that you’ve taken insulin for) or potentially diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)—even if your blood sugar levels are normal. Vomiting for any reason leads to dehydration which can lead to DKA.