In diabetes, alcohol play’s a defining role and I intend on finding out just how defining this position is in my diabetes management the hard way with a little experiment.

This experiment is to see if I can combat a trend of higher fasting glucose levels I have been experiencing in the last month or so.

I have been consistently trending higher in the morning with ranges from 180mg/dl to 230mg/dl and I have been trying to find  a resolution for this phenomenon lately.

A recent study on the Glycemic Effects of Moderate Alcohol Intake Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, published in the Diabetes Care Journal caught my eye when I was doing my research into it and after a quick call to my Endo and his approval, I believe today is a good time as any to try this out and see if it becomes a solution. But before we move further along, I want to cover the alcohol and diabetes issue so there is no confusion.

We often hear the term moderation thrown around a lot when it comes to diabetes management and its one of the elemental factors that I  follow as a diabetic.

None is more crucial however when it come to consuming alcohol., My experiment is not about drinking liquor or beer, it is about having a glass of wine each night after dinner and will explain why in a moment.

Can one drink alcohol with diabetes

A diabetic  consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited because it will l cause adverse effects to your body especially if you are taking   blood glucose lowering medications.

and here is why.

Alcohol, diabetes and the Liver

Drinking alcohol blocks the liver’s ability to produce glucose, thus a diabetic runs the risk of hypoglycemia (Low Blood sugar) because normally when blood sugar levels drop, the liver produces glucose from stored carbohydrates to compensate.

Diabetes complications affected by alcohol consumption

The following conditions are affected by alcohol consumption if you are a diabetic.

• Nerve damage in the limbs. – Diabetics with nerve damage drinking can increase the pain, numbness, tingling or burning sensation associated with diabetic nerve damage.
• Diabetes vision – Heavy drinking ( three or more drinks during one day) can make diabetes vision worse.
• High blood pressure. – Diabetics who also have high blood pressure should also not drink alcohol.
• High levels of triglycerides. – Alcohol  increases the degree of triglycerides in the blood.

How much alcohol can a diabetic drink

• You need to ask your doctor if it is okay to drink alcohol with the medications you are on and if they don’t Gel please do not drink any alcohol.
• Please remember moderation is key, heavy drinking could inevitably lead to hypoglycemia.
• Exercise before or immediately after working out is dangerous because they both will decrease your blood sugar levels.
• If you are looking to loose weight then please stay away from those calorie adding beers

For some type 2 diabetics however adding alcohol to diabetes self management can be beneficial in addition to diet and exercise, this is a specific group that does not take any diabetes medication to control diabetes.

Alcohol In diabetes management- Risks vs Rewards

As stated earlier for someone with high blood glucose levels, drinking alcohol may aid in controlling diabetes but the risks vs rewards ratio clearly favors the latter, so please weigh yours before deciding on the right cause of action.

Alcohol effect on fasting blood glucose levels

The study I mentioned earlier found that adding 13 grams  of wine with dinner every night over three-month trial dropped fasting blood glucose levels by 32.5 mg/dl compared with those in the control group.

This is my hope that I will achieve the same results now i just have to find what what wine I like because I am by no means a wine connoisseur.

I will keep you Informed.