Frequently asked question: Can you drink alcohol with diabetes?

Yes, you can drink alcohol if you are 18 years or older, even if you have diabetes. But it is very important to consider several facts:

If you drink alcohol, you are more likely to have a hypo. Alcohol ends up in your blood through your stomach and small intestine. Then alcohol is transported to your liver via the bloodstream, where it is broken down. If the liver is busy with alcohol processing, no glucose is released from the stored glucose in the liver. A low blood sugar is then no longer solved by your body itself.
Check your blood sugar level regularly. The blood sugar level can also drop hours after alcohol consumption. Before you dive into your bed, it is important to check and eat something, even if the blood sugar level is good at that moment.
By eating during and after alcohol use you can prevent a hypo. Your body is not able to cope with the low blood sugar level caused by the alcohol. Before going to bed, make sure you eat a sandwich or something similar.
If you are drunk, you react differently than normal. Your judgment also changes. That is not beneficial for anyone, but it can even be dangerous if you have diabetes. For example, you don’t notice that you have a hypo or you forget to inject your evening insulin or you forget to check your blood sugar level.
Drink in a responsible way. Drinking more than one or two glasses of alcohol a day is not good for anyone. Excessive and frequent alcohol use damages your liver and brain.