In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleBeer NutritionHow Beer Impacts Your Blood Sugar LevelsCan You Drink Beer If You Have Diabetes?
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Beer Nutrition
How Beer Impacts Your Blood Sugar Levels
Can You Drink Beer If You Have Diabetes?
According to the latest estimates from theAmerican Diabetes Association, more than 37 million Americans have diabetes, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. In 2017, the estimated direct medical costs associated with diabetes in the U.S. were $237 billion. Living with diabetes can present significant financial, social and personal burdens, and knowing how to manage diabetes effectively can help you feel empowered to limit these burdensome effects.
LivingWell with Diabetes
Many people believe that living with diabetes meansopting out of certain foodsand beverages entirely. However, you might enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages like beer. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s still possible to enjoy a beer when you have diabetes, the answer is yes—but it’s important to know how to do so safely.
Beer is a significant source of carbohydrates, so it canimpact blood sugar. Depending on the type, it can also be high in calories, so drinking beer may contribute to weight gain over time. Some types of beer can be higher in alcohol too. Additionally, according to theADA, because the liver prioritizes clearing alcohol from the body, drinking alcohol can slow down carb metabolism, potentially leading to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Drinking any alcohol when taking diabetes medications can exacerbate this effect as well. So it’s essential to be mindful when consuming alcoholic beverages like beer when you have diabetes.
In this article, we’ll discuss the nutrition of beer, how it impacts your blood sugar levels and things to keep in mind so you can enjoy it in moderation.
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Beer is a staple beverage throughout the year, from fall football season to the winter holidays to the Fourth of July. It can even be used in various recipes to give a distinctive flavor—bread, soups and braised meats can all include beer. According to theNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, one serving of beer is considered to be 12 ounces and 5% alcohol. Note that in bars and restaurants, pours may differ (for instance, a pint glass holds 16 ounces).
A 12-ounce can of beer has, on average, per theUSDA:
Interestingly, beer also contains very small amounts of vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Since it has nearly one carb serving (15 grams of carbs = one carb choice for carb-counting purposes), beer could significantly affect blood sugar and must be treated accordingly.
Drinking alcohol can causehypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, so it’s essential to keep this in mind if you plan on drinking. This happens because your liver, where glucose is stored until the body needs energy, also is responsible for clearing alcohol from your system, so may be delayed in releasing necessary sugars into the bloodstream. You’ll need to know how and be prepared to treat low blood sugar if it does occur.
Drinking in moderationand monitoring your blood sugar are wise moves to ensure you won’t experience hypoglycemia. It’s also best practice to keep a form of identification on you that says that you have diabetes, in case you need medical assistance and are unconscious. There are bracelets, keychains, necklaces or even tattoos that can provide this information in an emergency.
You should also be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia and be mindful that they are similar to a drunken state. It’s a good idea to alert anyone you are enjoying alcohol with of signs to be on the lookout for, so they can help or get you help should the need arise.
Studies show that excessively consuming alcoholic beverages of any kind increases your risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease. When you live with a chronic condition already, it is wise to take this into account and take the current recommendations to drink moderately seriously. And if you are taking medication for your diabetes or for any other health condition, it’s important to discuss with your health care team any possible effects from mixing alcohol and medication.
Can You Drink Wine If You Have Diabetes?
The Bottom Line
People with diabetes have to take special care with what they consume, and alcohol is no exception. Drinking alcoholic beverages can impact blood sugar, so it’s important to be mindful about your alcohol consumption.
Many people have the perception that alcoholic beverages like beer are off-limits with diabetes, but this is not necessarily the case. While ideally alcohol would be avoided or enjoyed only occasionally, you may be able to drink regularly when you have diabetes as long as you do so in moderation. That’s a limit of one to two 12-ounce beer(s) per day.
If you notice you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, slurred speech, confusion or feeling sleepy after drinking, you may be experiencing hypoglycemia. Talk with your health care provider to make sure you have a game plan, such as keeping glucose tablets or other quickly absorbed forms of sugar on hand, should this occur. They can recommend a plan that’s tailored to your specific needs.
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