Alcohol is a fuel that can be burned by the body for energy. It works almost instantly, within an hour to two hours of consumption, when it hits the bloodstream. The liver, however, treats alcohol like a toxin. If one is drinking at a rate that is faster than what the liver takes to flush it out of the system, the liver stops controlling the blood sugar and focuses only on flushing out the toxin from the blood stream.

As long as the amount of alcohol being consumed is not overwhelming, the blood sugar remains in control. The moment the amount becomes excessive, it causes the blood sugar to rise because the body is burning alcohol instead of sugar, and also, the liver is working on cleaning the system rather than regularizing the sugar levels.

Alternatively, if the body feels it has enough fuel, it stops converting the glycogen into sugar for the body to burn. Since alcohol creates a false illusion of enough fuel, the blood sugar can go dangerously low.

Diabetes and drinking do not go very well together if the drinking is happening in excess. In moderation, alcohol can be beneficial for the body. In excess, however, it can play havoc on the body’s metabolism. Additionally, it can even work against the medications to control blood sugar which makes it even more harmful for diabetics.

For a diabetic, drinking in moderation and smart drinking is a necessity. If not, alcohol can cause many complications.