Alcohol and Diabetes
By: SudbyTotal Views: 190, Word Count: 546,
Having diabetes will not prevent the consumption of alcoholic drinks, but there are some dangers related to health that you must consider if you continue to drink. Alcohol makes blood glucose either too high or too low. Average amount of alcohol causes blood sugar to rise, but excess alcohol consumption can decrease your blood sugar level sometimes to dangerous levels also. When you consume alcohol, it goes from your stomach straight into your blood. Within 30 minutes after drinking, the alcohol in your bloodstream hits its highest point. Looking at this, you can easily understand how alcohol and diabetes are closely related with each other.
As per American Diabetes Association, consumption of alcohol can be a bad choice if diabetics have the conditions like:
· Diabetic eye disease
· Rise levels of triglycerides
· Damage of nerves in the arms or legs
· Raise blood pressure
Alcohol damages nerve cells and even light drinking causes nerve damage. For diabetic patients with nerve damage, drinking can increase pain, tingling, numbness or burning sensation related with diabetic nerve damage.
For diabetics with eye disease problems, heavy drinking worsens the condition. Heavy drinking is defined more than three drinks during a day. Diabetics having high blood pressure should avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol also increases the amount of triglycerides in blood. Very light drinking, may be two drinks a week, can increase triglyceride levels.
Effects of Alcohol on Diabetes
Damage of Liver: Frequent or heavy drinking can damage the liver by replacing the working liver tissue with scar tissue. This liver scarring is known as cirrhosis. This scarring obstructs the normal functioning of the liver by affecting the blood sugar levels.
Increase in Weight: It is a fact that drinking alcohol can add calories to our diet. It puts in most of the equal calories acquired from fats. Consuming alcohol can add some more extra kilos to body weight. Diabetic people find it hard to lose extra weight, which increases the ongoing blood sugar problems. People with a healthy and balanced weight can manage diabetes compared to those who keep putting on unnecessary kilos to their body.
Nerve Damage: Researches pointed out that diabetics with nerve damage should not consume alcohol completely as it can be poison for the body, especially for the nerves. Occasional drinking can increase the symptoms related with nerve damage like pain and numbness in the extremities.
Alcohol also cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.
Dos and Don’ts for Alcohol and Diabetes
- Consume alcohol only with food and drink slowly
- Avoid "sugary" mixed drinks or cordials
- Mix liquor with diet soft drinks or water
Most of the people wonder if it is safe for diabetics to consume alcoholic beverages, especially if they do not know how it will affect their condition. Typically, persons who are diabetic know how their sugar level can react to different foods, but they are also less knowledgeable about how alcohol can affect the sugar levels; therefore you must consult with the doctor about the consumption of alcohol and diabetes to avoid future problems.
About the Author
Robert Sudby has practiced as a General Physician in Cleveland for a number of years. He is retired but still likes to share fitness secrets and tips with people. You can benefit from his articles on fitness and general well being.
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