Best Alcohol for Diabetics to Drink: Is it Safe? Let’s Find Out!

Moderate alcohol use has also been related to several health advantages, including increased HDL levels. This might help reduce your risk of heart disease, which is more likely if you have type 2 diabetes.

Red wine drinkers have yet another advantage. The American Heart Association says red wine includes antioxidants that help prevent cell damage.

Let’s explore a list of the best alcohol options for diabetics to drink in a controlled manner.

Alcohol: Nutritional Profile

If you have diabetes, you can consume alcohol as long as you pick the right drinks and look at the impact of alcohol on your blood sugar levels. The glycemic index of all alcohol is 0 since they can’t be evaluated due to their low carbohydrate content.

 

Safest Alcoholic Drinks for a Diabetic

1. Red wine

Red wine is 1%, glycerol 12%, and ethyl alcohol 86% water. It contains high levels of antioxidants, including polyphenol and resveratrol. Polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in red wine, could help preserve the lining of blood arteries in your heart.

2. Premium Tequila

Tequila is prepared from the blue agave plant, a huge succulent with long, spiky leaves that resemble aloe vera. Agave tequilana, a compound found in the tequila plant, enhances calcium and magnesium absorption, two elements beneficial to bone health.

3. Gin

Gin is prepared by combining juniper berries and other botanicals with neutral grain alcohol to create an aromatic spirit. The antioxidants in gin’s juniper berries help clear congested arteries boosting your heart health.

4. Rum

Rum is said to have therapeutic qualities. When taken in moderation, rum not only relieves tension but also helps keep blood pressure in check. It provides you with an energy boost right away.

5. Whisky

Whiskey has a lot of polyphenols, which are plant-based antioxidants associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. Whiskey’s polyphenols have been demonstrated to lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels in the blood.

6. Dry Champagne

It has the same antioxidants that protect your blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol, and prevent blood clots since it is made from both red and white grapes.

 

Best Time to Consume Alcohol for Diabetes

You can take one drink in the evening. To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, eat a snack or a meal while you’re sipping or right before. Choose carbohydrate-rich meals to keep your blood sugar levels up (meaning, you will be at lower risk of having low blood sugar).

Wondering how alcohol affects diabetes? Discover the best options and learn what drinks like beer and wine mean for blood sugar control

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Risks of Overconsumption of Alcohol

• High blood pressure
• Neuropathy (nerve damage) can be exacerbated by alcohol
• It dehydrates your body and prevents you from getting enough sleep
• It can also cause cancer and heart problems in certain people

 

Considerations and Precautions for a Diabetic consuming Alcohol

If you’re going to drink, here’s all the information so you can pick the beverages that are right for you:

• Low-sugar beers and ciders should be avoided, sometimes known as diabetic beverages. They may contain less sugar, but they also include more alcohol.
• Low-alcohol wines should be avoided since they typically contain more sugar than regular wines. If you do pick them, limit yourself to one or two glasses.
• With any spirits, use diet or sugar-free mixers; if a friend purchases one for you, make it clear what you require.

 

Don’t Have Time To Read?

• Women should have one drink each day, while males should have two. If your blood sugar is well-controlled, this is the recommended intake. If you haven’t already done so, don’t drink till you’ve regained control.
• Drink light beers with fewer calories, dry wines with fewer calories or alcohol with diet soda, tonic water, or seltzer are excellent options.
• If you drink regularly, tell your doctor or healthcare team.
• To avoid low blood sugar, always have a meal or a snack after drinking.
• If you’ve had a drink that evening, check your glucose before sleeping.
• Eat a snack if you’re on a low energy level.
• A drink’s calories can be used to substitute a portion of fat. However, a drink should never be substituted for a meal.

Common FAQs

Is Alcohol Good for Diabetes?

Your doctor or dietician will suggest how much alcohol is safe for you to consume. That might mean no alcohol at all, depending on your health situation. Women with diabetes may drink no more than one alcoholic beverage per day in some instances. There should be no more than two for men.

Does alcohol spike insulin?

While modest amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar levels to rise, excessive alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, which can be alarming, especially for persons with type 1 diabetes. 

What alcohol is lowest in sugar?

Whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, and vodka are all sugar-free kinds of alcohol. Vodka is the calorie-lightest alcohol at roughly 100 calories per shot (a 50 ml double-measure).

Which alcoholic drinks have the most sugar?

White wines are usually regarded as sugary beverages. According to health experts, the average six-ounce glass of white wine includes roughly 1.73 grams of sugar. This is 0.61 grams of sugar or 64% more than a glass of red wine.

What alcohol does not affect diabetes?

Alcohol with a low sugar or carbohydrate content is the best choice for people with diabetes. Light beers, red and white wines, distilled spirits, and low-carb cocktails are all OK, as long as sugary juices or syrups are avoided.

Can diabetic drink alcohol occasionally?

Most diabetics can consume alcohol, including wine, as long as they don’t have another medical condition that makes it dangerous to do so. In tiny amounts, wine may even provide some health advantages.

Can I drink alcohol on metformin?

While on metformin, one or two drinks occasionally with metformin is okay. If you drink more than that, you may need to cut back on your alcohol intake before taking metformin, as heavy drinking might put you at risk for lactic acidosis.

What is the healthiest alcohol?

Red wine is considered the healthiest alcohol. Antioxidants in red wine can protect your cells from harm, while polyphenols in red wine can help your heart. White and rose wines contain them as well, albeit in lesser amounts.

Disclaimer: We do not promote alcohol consumption. Alcohol is injurious to health.