Effects of Alcohol on Diabetes

While the beneficial effects of alcohol on diabetes are not conclusively proven, most studies agree that alcohol in small quantities might actually be good for the body. Diabetics who drink less than two drinks a day seem to have less heart problems that those who do not drink at all. However, the benefits are much less than the problems having diabetes and drinking might create.

Alcohol is burnt like a fuel in the body. It is metabolized in a manner similar to fat and it releases a similar amount of energy. Even though it technically does not count as a ‘sugary’ food, it can raise the level of blood sugar. The metabolism of sugar in the bloodstream is done with the help of insulin. Any excess sugar is stored in the liver and the muscles as glycogen. This glycogen is converted back to sugar when needed.

This balance of glycogen and sugar is done in the liver. However, when there is alcohol in the bloodstream, the liver treats it as a toxin and tries to flush it out. If the rate of consumption of alcohol is slower than the rate at which it is being flushed out, there is no problem. The problem arises when the alcohol is ingested faster than it can be flushed out. At this point, the liver stops trying to balance the blood sugar and focuses completely on the cleansing of the toxin in the blood.

<< Previous    [1]  2    Next >>