alcohol affect

[LauRa Lu]

We all know a glass of red wine now and agian is good for us, but is the actual alcahol bad for us; or rather 'worse' for us than it is for non diabetics.
Does anyone know if alcohol has a worse affect on diabetics...even just small amounts.?

I drink a glass of wine most nights but i'm thinking maybe I should cut down to just a glass one or two nights a week. I'm not an alcoholic(must make that clear :D) ... :p Just love red wine and know its good for the heart.

Anyone any idea :) ?

[HeatherP]

I think that moderation in all things is the best way to go.

Having said that, I think that considering all the other health problems we are subject to as a result of diabetes, it's really probably not doing your liver any good.

Alcohol also has a lowering effect on blood sugar levels. And it can also inhibit the ability of the liver to release glycogen (I think?) during a hypo.

I think it's a decision that we all have to make for ourselves. I choose to enjoy a few glasses of wine every now and then.

[Batty]

mmm alcohol..oh, i mean. haha.

i drink from time to time, being a teenager of course i try things like that. I find it doesn't affect me very much, as long as I do it in moderation. like..not a whole mickey of straight vodka to myself type thing. and i eat before i have anything, and have my friends who arent having any drinks just keep an eye on me. I find the morning after I have even a glass of beer at home with my moms boyfriend while we all watch a movie..that my level is actually perfect. usually between 5-6!

[Funnygrl]

Heather is totally right in everything she said. It she hadn't responded first I would have posted exactly the same thing.

I just want to add one thing. Don't forget there are carbs in alcohol! I'm sure red wine certainly wouldn't be a significant amount though.

It's not as bad if you don't do it on an empty stomach.

[mike9876]

It depends if you are type 1 or 2 and what meds your on. The amount you are drinking won't hurt you and will help to keep you healthy. If you are type 1 it wouldn't cause you go hypo unless you drank the bottle. It you want more than 1 glass make you eat some snack food with it. As for booze the one to miss is beer full of carbs. clear spirits like gin or vodka with a diet mixer will have practically no carbs. Dry wine will have no practically no carbs. I wouldn't worry unless you are exceeding you weekly recommended amount for a woman. The daily units for woman is 2 to 3 units per day. A small glass of wine = 1 unit. I would say that you are just in the safe zone. A half pint of beer is 1 unit and a single measure of spirits is 1 unit, thats 1/6 of a gill in the UK.

[Lorna]

I think as long as you know your own body and are sensible about it you should be fine.

[mcdafydd]

I agree that a little is ok. I've also had a couple GPs (not endocrinologists) tell me that in moderation, it is fine. Now, by moderation they are probably talking max 2 drinks/day. Anything over two drinks many people/docs consider to be "toxic" to non-diabetics as well as us (I'm a Type I). I've also always been told the importance of having food in the belly as well as some insulin in the system to help balance the drastic changes it would otherwise wreak on your BG. So, going on a bender in the middle of the afternoon outside a normal eating time is probably not the best idea.

That being said, I have done more then my fair share of drinking when I was younger. In the past few years (I'm 27 now), I've cut it down to hardly at all. Partly because the experience is not really worth it to me at this moment in life, and partly because of diabetes. I love not waking up feeling worn out and sluggish now.. but then again, I am getting "old" :-)

[buzzborne]

I'm not an alcoholc drinker, unless its for a special occasion, but I still have to have only a small amount otherwise it just goes straight to my head as my body isnt used to it!!