Alcohol and Diabetes: An Unhealthy Mix

Furthermore, one has to be aware of mixed drinks, beer, sweet wines, and any other alcoholic beverage with a high sugar content. Plus, the carbs in alcoholic drinks are simple carbs that only result in spiking glucose levels with an imminent “crash” or lack of energy afterward.

In addition to the negative effect on glucose levels and appetite, alcohol may also increase triglycerides or the fat that is stored in the body for energy. An increase in triglycerides can lead to heart disease which is already a risk that diabetics have to keep a close watch on.

Moreover, the complete effect on a person’s judgement is another reason for being mindful of the amount of alcohol that’s consumed. Impaired judgement can lead to unhealthy choices in eating or to even more consumption of alcoholic beverages. With the increase of alcohol intake comes the possibility of suffering from nausea or vomiting later on. Aside from dehydration, this also presents a danger in keeping glucose or insulin levels in check.

Finally, heart health is placed at a higher risk when diabetes is an issue. So ingesting anything that might raise heart rate is not a wise choice, especially if cholesterol levels are already compromised and the arteries are not in optimum condition. In this situation, it’s probably best to stay away from alcohol.