Can I drink alcohol if I have diabetes?

Can I drink alcohol if I have diabetes?

Anne Peters, MD, FACP, CDE (Professor and Director of Clinical Diabetes Programs, USC Keck School of Medicine) gives expert video advice on: Does taking additional insulin correct a high blood sugar level?; Why is my blood pressure important if I have diabetes?; What are the most common causes of death for people with diabetes? and more...

Many people, when they get diabetes, are afraid that they can't drink alcohol anymore. Actually, that's not true. There are lots and lots of studies that show that moderate consumption of alcohol, both in people with and without diabetes, actually helps prolong life and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. So it's good for you: it relaxes you, it may have antioxidant benefits, who knows? If you don't drink alcohol, I don't think it's a good habit to start. But if you do, you can do it safely. You do have to know a thing or two, however, because drinking alcohol lowers blood sugar levels. Most people don't understand this, and I've actually had some patients get into real trouble who go out after work, they're not used to drinking, they drink a couple of margaritas and their blood sugars go way too low. But it turns out that alcohol inhibits the liver's production of glucose. So when people with diabetes drink, they need to make sure they eat something, eat some carbohydrate to balance out the alcohol. They also may need to give less insulin or take less medicine. This is definitely something to discuss with one's health care provider.