If the blood sugar is high, and there is alcohol in the system, the body is burning alcohol instead of sugar since it requires less energy to burn. The energy provided by the alcohol leads the body to believe that it has enough fuel and it does not burn the sugar in the bloodstream. On the other hand, the liver is busy flushing out alcohol and does not convert the excess sugar in the body to its storable form. Conversely, if the blood sugar is low, the body is tricked into not converting glycogen to sugar, leading to a drop in the blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous.

Alcoholic drinks that are sweet have a more direct effect on the blood sugar. Sweet wines may contain carbohydrates that increase the blood sugar. Also, consuming alcohol makes you hungrier, which can lead to overeating. This also affects blood sugar levels. Sometimes, the alcohol may interfere with the diabetes medication or the insulin, making them less effective. Worst of all, the symptoms of drunkenness mimic those of hypoglycemia, which is extremely low blood sugar. This makes it difficult to identify it on time, which can be very harmful for the body.

This imbalance of sugar in the bloodstream can be quite damaging to the organs. If the blood sugar goes too low, it can lead to less glucose going to the brain, which can result in unconsciousness or even brain damage. High blood sugar is equally dangerous, damaging the kidney, the eyes and nerves. The effects of alcohol on diabetes can be quite harmful, which is why a diabetic should exercise caution when consuming it.