Alcohol in small amounts will not harm your control and can be safely enjoyed. You do need to take some precautions which are dealt with below.
The main problems associated with alcohol and diabetes arise from hypoglycaemia. Alcohol through various mechanisms may make you more prone to hypoglycaemia if you are treated with insulin or tablets.
Drinking alcohol may result in your judgement being impaired. Many of the early warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia are mimicked by alcohol. Your friends may also mistake these hypoglycaemic symptoms for effects of alcohol and may not seek help until you lose consciousness. Your close friends should know that you are on treatment and that hypoglycaemia and drunken behaviour share many common features.
Alcohol may cause you to put on weight and can affect your overall control. Heavy drinkers are often overweight and have high blood sugars.
A sensible drinking limit for people with (and without) diabetes is:
One unit of alcohol |
Calories |
Half a pint of beer, lager or cider |
90 |
Pub measure of spirits (whisky, vodka, rum, gin) |
50 |
Glass of wine |
75 |
Glass of sherry |
55 |
There is some evidence that small amounts of alcohol may reduce your risk of heart disease. This has been shown by a number of studies, however the relationship between alcohol and health is a complex one. The protective effect of alcohol is thought to be partly mediated by an increase in levels of 'good cholesterol' (HDL cholesterol). It has been shown that moderate amounts of alcohol increase levels of HDL cholesterol.
Dr Nishan Wijenaike, Consultant Physician
West Suffolk Hospitals Diabetes Service.
October 2002