Alcohol gets a bad rap for many reasons, but have you ever considered that it could increase your risk of developing diabetes? Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include a sedentary lifestyle, especially after the age of 45. But if you drink wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages regularly, can you develop diabetes? In the following we present to you what we have discovered following several studies, regarding the link between alcohol and diabetes.
To begin with, we must mention that there is no direct and clear link between alcohol and type 2 diabetes. However, this does not mean that alcohol has no consequences when it comes to the glycemic index.
How the body metabolizes alcohol
When we consume alcohol, the body mostly “passes” it to the liver, the organ that allows us to eliminate alcohol and other toxic substances from the body. This process takes some time, and too much alcohol can be overwhelming for the liver and give us the feeling of intoxication.
The liver also helps regulate blood sugar. One of the many functions it has is to store glucose and send it back into the blood to stabilize the necessary level of blood sugar, especially during the night.
However, the liver prioritizes alcohol metabolism. So when you drink alcohol, your liver won’t send glucose back into your blood when you need it, and low blood sugar results.
The link between alcohol and diabetes
There is research that shows a link between drinking alcohol and developing diabetes, but it really depends on how much you drink. In a study from China, heavy drinkers had a 29% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to non-drinkers. The authors concluded that reducing alcohol consumption would be beneficial in preventing the onset of diabetes.
A limitation of the research could be given by the data reported by the study participants, who may not have been completely transparent about the amount of alcohol they consumed. Another minus of the study was the fact that among the participants, the number of women was very small, which is why research of this kind is also needed among the female population.
However, a review of 53 meta-analyses of food and type 2 diabetes risk found that moderate drinkers, meaning 1-2 drinks per day, had a 25% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes. Foods associated with type 2 diabetes include processed meats, bacon, and sugary drinks.
We must remember that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with cirrhosis, which in turn is associated with type 2 diabetes. What’s more, alcohol abuse also represents an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
Alcohol consumed in excess can affect blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and contribute to weight gain. Limiting alcohol consumption is very important for patients with diabetes – two glasses for men and one glass for women.
Furthermore, the liver stores the calories from alcohol as fat, and this type of fat contributes to insulin resistance.
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Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/risk-factors.html
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-metabolism
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/type2-diabetes-your-liver.html
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/diabetes-and-alcohol
- https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11681-0
- https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l2368.abstract
