Can Quitting Alcohol Reverse Diabetes?? Let’s Find Out!!

11 May 2024 Dr. Shivani Arora, MBBS 5 min read

Few studies have shown that alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels which is true to have been believed over centuries.

However, most people are skeptical about how alcohol consumption can potentially harm blood sugar levels.

Can alcohol cause diabetes? OR can quitting alcohol reverse diabetes entirely?

Table of Contents

Is Alcohol Safe For Diabetes?

According to scientific studies, alcohol is not considered entirely safe for people with diabetes. Experts and medical professionals suggest that the relation between alcohol and diabetes has never been beneficial, especially when the consumption is higher. However, occasional drinking in limited amounts does not drastically affect blood sugar levels.

How Is Alcohol Risky for Diabetes?

Alcohol indirectly impacts blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Most alcoholic drinks have a very high glycemic index (GI). Thus, these beverages can drastically increase and spike blood sugar levels. It is caused due to the artificial sugar present in alcoholic drinks.

Can Quitting Alcohol Reverse Diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifestyle condition that must be managed through a healthy diet, medication, and regular exercise. Hence, while giving up alcohol cannot entirely reverse diabetes, abstaining for a short term has been proven to improve insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels in moderate drinkers. Alcohol abstinence can reduce the risk of obesity, which further helps stabilize blood glucose levels.

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

Is Alcohol Safe for Diabetics? What Beer, Wine & Whiskey Mean for Blood Sugar

Is Beer Good For Diabetics

Is Whiskey Good For Diabetics?

Wine And Diabetes

Best Alcohol For Diabetics To Drink

What Is The Safe Limit of Alcohol For Diabetic Patients?

Diabetic men can drink up to two alcoholic drinks a day, whereas diabetic women can drink one beverage a day. A drink can be five oz. of wine, 1½ oz. of liquor, or 12 oz. of beer. Also, do not mix alcohol with sugary beverages like cold drinks or sweet wine.

Risks of Over Consuming Alcohol For Diabetics

Excessive alcohol consumption can intensely affect significant organs, prompting extreme reactions. Within a few hours of drinking, alcohol can cause your blood sugar levels to drop. It may react with insulin and intensify your diabetes medication’s effects, causing dangerously low blood glucose levels or hypoglycemia.

Nerve damage
Slurred speech
Heart damage
Lung infection
Liver damage
Pancreatitis
Fatigue
Stomach pain and diarrhea
Sexual dysfunction and infertility
Thinning bones, muscles spasms, and numbness

Precautions To Be Taken by Diabetics While Consuming Alcohol

Do not have multiple drinks or more than 30 ml liquor beverages in a one-day time frame.
Drink liquor only with food, as the carbohydrates slow down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed, thus preventing blood sugar fluctuations.
Drink slowly.
Avoid ‘sweet’ blended beverages, sweet wines, or cordials to prevent glucose spikes.
Mix alcohol with water, club pop, or delicate diet drinks.

Don’t Have Time To Read?

According to experts, excessive alcoholic drinks for diabetics are not safe.
Alcoholic drinks are rich in artificial sugar and have a high GI, which increases blood sugar levels.
Abstain from alcohol to lower insulin resistance and reduce the risk of obesity, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Male diabetics must not consume over two alcoholic drinks per day, while female diabetics should not drink more than once per day.
Alcohol can lead to sudden drops in blood sugar. It may react with insulin and diabetes medications to cause hypoglycemia. Other risks of overconsumption include liver damage, lung infection, fatigue, and pancreatitis.
People with diabetes must drink alcohol only with food to slow its absorption and avoid sweet alcoholic beverages.

Common FAQs

1. Can Quitting Alcohol Reverse Diabetes?

A regular intake of even a little alcohol can affect blood sugar levels. While quitting alcohol cannot reverse diabetes, abstaining has proven to be beneficial for lowering insulin resistance, even for a short period. It also reduces obesity risk, which helps stabilize glucose levels.

2. Is Alcohol Safe For Diabetics?

Alcohol in itself isn’t exceptionally safe. The additional sugar in alcoholic drinks adversely impacts glucose levels in people with diabetes. Excessive consumption can react with insulin and diabetes medication to cause hypoglycemia.

3. How Frequently Can Diabetics Take Alcohol?

Diabetic men can drink twice a day, whereas women can drink once daily. Closely monitoring blood glucose, drinking along with food, and having plain, unsweetened drinks are advised.

4. What Is The Safe Limit of Alcohol For A Person With diabetes?

Diabetic men should stick to the safe limit of two drinks, whereas women should stick to one drink, i.e., five oz. of wine, 1½ oz. of liquor, or 12 oz. of beer. Avoid mixing with any sugary beverages like cold drinks or sweet wine.

5. Which Is The Safest Alcohol For People With Diabetes?

The safest alcoholic drinks for diabetics are those with a low sugar or carb content. That includes light brews, red and white wine, refined spirits, and low-carb mixed drinks, as long as you stay away from sweet squeezes or syrups. Conventional mixed drinks, dessert wines, and cream alcohols will generally have higher sugar counts, which might spike glucose levels.