From the Guidelines
Yes, alcohol consumption can lead to hypoglycemia, particularly in people who drink without eating or those with diabetes, as it inhibits the liver's ability to release glucose into the bloodstream. This effect can last for several hours after drinking, and the risk is highest with excessive alcohol consumption, drinking on an empty stomach, or combining alcohol with certain diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The risk of hypoglycemia is increased in individuals using insulin or insulin secretagogues, especially when alcohol is consumed without food 1.
- Moderate alcohol intake, defined as no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, is recommended to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia and other adverse effects 1.
- It is essential to monitor blood glucose levels frequently after drinking alcohol, especially for individuals with diabetes, to promptly identify and treat any hypoglycemic episodes 1.
- Alcohol consumption can have both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic effects in people with diabetes, depending on the amount consumed, whether it is ingested with food, and the presence of other medical conditions 1.
Recommendations for Safe Alcohol Consumption
- Always eat carbohydrate-containing food when drinking alcohol to prevent hypoglycemia.
- Limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
- Monitor blood glucose levels more frequently if you have diabetes, especially after consuming alcohol.
- Avoid drinking to the point of intoxication, as symptoms of hypoglycemia can mimic those of intoxication, potentially delaying recognition and treatment of low blood sugar 1.
From the Research
Alcohol Consumption and Hypoglycaemia
- Alcohol consumption can lead to hypoglycaemia in certain individuals, particularly those with diabetes mellitus 2, 3, 4.
- The risk of hypoglycaemia is increased in patients with insulin-dependent (Type 1) diabetes mellitus who consume alcohol, especially when fasting or dependent on alcohol 2.
- Moderate alcohol consumption by healthy, fed subjects does not typically cause acute hyper- or hypoglycaemia, although there may be a delayed risk of hypoglycaemia the morning after evening alcohol intake 2.
- Studies have shown that light to moderate alcohol intake does not affect glycaemic control in people with Type 2 diabetes, but the risks to those with Type 1 diabetes remain uncertain 5.
Effects of Alcohol on Blood Sugar Levels
- Alcohol consumption can worsen blood sugar control in diabetics, leading to excessive blood sugar levels in well-nourished individuals and dangerously low blood sugar levels in those who are not adequately nourished 3.
- Ethanol intake has been associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with Type 1 diabetes, due to decreased plasma glucose, impaired counter-regulatory response, awareness of hypoglycaemia, and cognitive function 4.
Prevention of Alcohol-Induced Hypoglycaemia
- Current recommendations suggest that ethanol should only be consumed with food intake to prevent hypoglycaemia, but further investigations are needed to establish evidence-based recommendations 4.