Moderate amount of alcohol can cause blood sugar to rise

People who drink up to 3 drinks a day should know that alcohol does not increase their chances of getting diabetes. Patients with diabetes should know that moderate drinking (one to 3 drinks per day) probably does not harm their diabetes, although the evidence for this conclusion is rather weak. They should also know that moderate drinking is associated with less heart disease in people with diabetes. Despite this finding, experts feel that we do not know enough to recommend that patients who do not drink alcohol should begin to drink in moderation. The alcohal consumer must keep in m ind the following.

• While moderate amount of alcohol can cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels.
• Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar.
• Alcohol stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
• Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin.
• Alcohol may increase triglyceride levels.
• Alcohol may increase blood pressure.
• Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.

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