Alcoholic Diabetes – Does Alcohol Cause Diabetes?

TL;DR

Alcohol affects blood sugar levels: high-proof spirits don't raise glucose, but sweet drinks and low-proof alcohols (e.g., beer, liqueurs) do. Alcohol increases the risk of hypoglycemia, especially several hours after consumption – can lead to coma or seizure. Alcohol abuse can cause so-called alcoholic diabetes – a disease resulting from pancreatic damage and insulin production disorders. Symptoms of alcoholic diabetes include drowsiness, weight loss, thirst, weakness, irritability, concentration problems. Diagnosis includes fasting glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin, and additional tests (e.g., insulin level, C-peptide). Treatment requires complete abstinence, pharmacotherapy, diabetologist consultation, and dietary changes (whole grain products, vegetables, lean protein, avoiding frying).

Effect of Alcohol on Blood Sugar Levels

High-proof alcohols such as vodka, whisky, tequila, or gin are not a source of simple carbohydrates, so their consumption does not cause an increase in blood sugar levels. However, the situation changes when these drinks are consumed in the form of cocktails containing sweetened beverages, juices, or bar liqueurs, which cause an increase in blood glucose concentration. Popular low-proof alcohols have a similar effect, such as:

• Beer

• Cider

• Liqueurs

• Cordials

• Sweet wine

• Vermouth

At the same time, alcohol significantly increases the risk of hypoglycemia. This doesn't refer to a glucose drop during drinking, but rather hypoglycemia that appears many hours after alcohol consumption – most often at night or in the early morning hours. Hypoglycemia can occur from consuming both low and high-proof beverages, so the sugar content in alcohol itself is irrelevant. This condition is a consequence of ethanol poisoning of the body, which inhibits nighttime glycogen secretion by the liver. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to diabetic seizure as well as loss of consciousness, the so-called alcohol coma. If this occurs, intravenous glucose administration is necessary. To prevent hypoglycemia after alcohol, one should above all refrain from drinking on an empty stomach, consume alcohol after eating a meal rich in protein and fat, and frequently monitor blood sugar levels.

Sugar Content in Selected Alcoholic Beverages

| Beverage | Sugar (g/100 ml) | Sugar (g/L) | |----------|------------------|-------------| | Lager / Light Beer | 0 – 0.3 | 0 – 3 | | Sweet Cider (commercial) | 3 – 8 | 30 – 80 | | Red Wine – Dry | 0.1 – 0.4 | 1 – 4 | | White Wine – Semi-dry | 1 – 3.5 | 10 – 35 | | Sparkling Wine Brut | 0 – 1.2 | 0 – 12 | | Tokaji Aszú (5 Puttonyos) | ≈ 12 | ≈ 120 | | Port (Ruby / Tawny) | 8 – 12 | 80 – 120 | | Sherry Cream | 11 – 14 | 110 – 140 | | Sake | 4 – 5 | 40 – 50 | | Sweetened Rum | 1.7 – 2.2 | 17 – 22 | | Pure Distillates (vodka, whisky, gin) | < 0.1 | < 1 | | Coffee Liqueurs (Kahlúa) | ≈ 39 | ≈ 390 | | Irish Cream (Baileys) | ≈ 18 | ≈ 180 | Also read: Why Is Alcoholism Incurable?

What Is Alcoholic Diabetes?

Does alcohol cause diabetes? The answer to this question is affirmative. Excessive alcohol consumption often results in the development of one of the diabetes subtypes – so-called alcoholic diabetes. Diabetes is a complex of metabolic diseases that lead to elevated blood sugar levels, i.e., hyperglycemia. Two types of diabetes can be distinguished:

• Type I diabetes, in which insulin secretion is too low, causing glucose to accumulate in the blood and not reach the muscles

• Type II diabetes, in which the body develops insulin resistance; this is a reaction to excessive insulin secretion by the pancreas

Alcoholic Diabetes – Symptoms

The main symptoms of diabetes in alcoholics include:

• Drowsiness

• Sudden weight loss

• Increased thirst

• Irritability

• Dry mouth

• General weakness

• Difficulty concentrating

Untreated alcoholic diabetes can cause serious damage to internal organs. For this reason, early detection of the disease and implementation of appropriate treatment is extremely important. This is often difficult, however, as most alcoholics avoid responsibility for their actions while neglecting their needs and health.

How Does Alcoholic Diabetes Develop?

Alcoholic diabetes develops as a result of long-term, excessive alcohol consumption. This substance causes disturbances in numerous systems and organs in the human body. The most vulnerable organs include the pancreas and liver, which are additionally burdened by the need for constant alcohol metabolism. This can lead to chronic pancreatitis, which leads to damage to centers responsible for insulin release. As a result, the addicted person develops alcoholic diabetes.

Alcoholic Diabetes – Diagnostics

In diagnosing alcoholic diabetes, tests such as glucose level measurement, oral glucose tolerance test, and glycated hemoglobin measurement are primarily used.

Glucose Level Test

Measuring glucose levels in venous blood is performed routinely during initial and periodic examinations. It is performed on an empty stomach, i.e., 8–14 hours after the last meal. The measurement result for a healthy person should be in the range of 70–99 mg/dl.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

The oral glucose tolerance test, also called OGTT or glucose curve, is an examination performed in people whose glucose level test showed excessive glucose concentration in fasting blood. It is performed 8–14 hours after the last meal, after 3 days of eating according to the patient's current diet. The oral glucose tolerance test proceeds in stages.

• Blood collection to determine fasting glucose level

• Administration of 75 g glucose dissolved in about 300 ml of water to the patient

• Blood collection for glycemia determination two hours after glucose intake by the patient

The blood glucose level in the last collection in a healthy person should not exceed 140 mg/dl.

Glycated Hemoglobin Measurement

Glycated hemoglobin measurement, or HbA1c, is a test that can be used both to detect diabetes in a patient and to monitor the course of the disease. Diabetes can be diagnosed if the glycated hemoglobin level equals or exceeds 48 mmol/mol, i.e., 6.5%. Other, more advanced tests may also be used in diagnosing alcoholic diabetes. These include C-peptide concentration measurement in blood, antibody concentration determination, and insulin level measurement in blood and assessment of insulin sensitivity using the HOMA-IR method.

How Is Alcoholic Diabetes Treated?

To cure alcoholic diabetes, complete cessation of alcohol consumption is necessary. A specialist doctor may also recommend taking pharmacological agents with glucose-lowering effects. A change in dietary habits and following a proper diet rich in:

• High-fiber products

• Whole grain bread and oatmeal

• Lean meat and fish

• Dairy products

• Vegetables and fruits

Products in a diabetic diet should be steamed, grilled, or baked. Avoiding fried dishes is recommended. Diagnosing and treating diabetes, including alcoholic diabetes, is the responsibility of a diabetologist. If disturbing symptoms occur, it's worth visiting this type of specialist. Untreated diabetes can lead to the development of various complications, causing disorders of the visual, nervous, circulatory, and urinary systems.

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