Diabetics: beware of alcohol

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Extract from the article: Alcohol consumption by diabetics increases the risk of hypoglycaemia, a condition characterised by an abnormal drop in blood sugar. When alcohol is consumed, the liver works to eliminate it from the blood. To do this, it sets aside all its other acti

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Alcohol consumption by diabetics increases the risk of hypoglycaemia, a condition characterised by an abnormal drop in blood sugar. When alcohol is consumed, the liver works to eliminate it from the blood. To do this, it sets aside all its other activities, including controlling the amount of sugar circulating in the blood. As a result, the glucose normally released is 'trapped' in the liver, which can then affect blood sugar control. To reduce blood sugar levels that are too high, some diabetics resort to insulin injections or oral anti-diabetic drugs, which last several hours.

However, when a diabetic drinks alcohol, the liver is unable to rebalance blood sugar levels, as it concentrates all its energy on eliminating the alcohol. For this reason, blood sugar levels will continue to fall under the effect of insulin or hypoglycaemic drugs. What's more, the risk of hypoglycaemia only increases if the alcohol is taken on an empty stomach. Alcohol ingested on an empty stomach is rapidly absorbed and is in the bloodstream in the blink of an eye.

Jean ELI