Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Human Biology. Nervous system Cardiovascular system Respiratory system Digestive system Immune system. Scientists explain how alcohol causes hypoglycemia too low blood sugar. By on Invalid date.

Scientists at the leading Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have now disclosed the mystery how alcohol may cause exaggerated insulin secretion resulting in severe hypoglycemia too low blood sugar. This mechanism, which is described in the latest number of Endocrinology , explains how alcohol ingestion may harm the human brain by decreasing the blood glucose concentration to inappropriately low levels.

Hypoglycemia induced by alcohol ingestion is a well known clinical problem in diabetic patients. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have largely remained elusive. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How Does Alcohol Affect Blood Sugars and Cause Hypoglycemia? Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Catherine Crider on July 7, Alcohol and blood sugar Not immediate effect Symptoms Different alcohol types People without diabetes Treatment Takeaway Consuming alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia, especially for people with diabetes.

What effect does alcohol have on blood sugars? Why can your blood sugar drop several hours after drinking alcohol? Symptoms of alcohol-induced hypoglycemia. Do different types of alcohol affect your blood sugars differently?

What about those without diabetes? How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

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Jul 7, Written By Catherine Crider. Share this article. Read this next. Diet Plans for Hypoglycemia. World journal of diabetes, 6 7 , — Understanding calories 23 August Accessed 20 April Home Facts Health effects of alcohol General health effects Alcohol and sugar. Alcohol and sugar Alcoholic drinks can contain lots of sugar, as well as alcohol.

On this page. How sugar affects your body Too much sugar is bad for your heath in a number of ways. Further advice and information Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results.

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Doctors associate alcohol consumption with a higher risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. The body requires blood sugar balance to function properly.

The liver is responsible for keeping blood sugar within the typical limits. This organ stores and produces sugar according to hormonal signals from insulin and glucagon. Another role of the liver is to detoxify the body of alcohol.

When someone consumes alcohol, the liver may then neglect blood sugar level maintenance in favor of breaking down alcohol. The person may then experience hypoglycemia. People with diabetes need to pay particular attention to their alcohol consumption because of its effects on blood sugar levels.

This article explores alcohol and hypoglycemia, its symptoms, and treatment. It also looks at the relationship between alcohol and diabetes and alcoholism and hypoglycemia. Alcohol may make hypoglycemia more likely. The mechanism behind this effect involves the liver. The liver is an organ that plays a vital role in stabilizing glucose levels.

It does this by acting as a reservoir for carbohydrates. When an individual does not eat overnight and between meals, the liver turns stored glycogen into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream.

This process allows the body to maintain blood sugar levels. The liver is also essential in detoxifying the body. It breaks down toxins, such as alcohol, into components that the kidneys then excrete. However, problems arise if the liver must choose between balancing blood sugar and detoxification because it cannot perform these actions simultaneously.

If the organ has to choose between maintaining blood sugar or detoxifying alcohol, the liver metabolizes alcohol. If it cannot fulfill its role in maintaining blood sugar levels at the time, a person may experience hypoglycemia.

Additionally, if an individual drinks on an empty stomach or when their blood sugars are already low, it increases the likelihood of hypoglycemia. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include :. Many of these symptoms are also signs of being drunk, making it challenging to tell if someone is hypoglycemic or intoxicated.

Severe hypoglycemia occurs when someone has very low blood glucose levels. Without treatment, it can lead to loss of consciousness and coma. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to confirm this diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.

While drinking alcohol may lower blood sugar, it is rare in people who do not have diabetes. Those with the condition must treat hypoglycemia right away. This is a guideline that advises a person to have 15 grams of carbohydrates and recheck blood sugar levels after 15 minutes. People with diabetes whose blood sugar level is too low to treat with the 15—15 rule safely may require glucagon injections.

If someone plans to consume alcohol, they should eat enough food beforehand, as alcohol intake can impair blood sugar for several hours. Doctors recommend ensuring carbohydrate intake before and while drinking to maintain blood sugar levels in the target range.

People should also avoid strenuous activities on the same day they consume alcohol. An increase in activity raises insulin sensitivity and increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Read more about how alcohol affects blood sugar levels. Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia more easily in people with diabetes.

Low blood sugar can occur when alcohol mixes with diabetes medications, such as insulin and sulfonylureas. In addition to an increased likelihood of hypoglycemia, alcohol also raises the risk of diabetes complications such as eye problems, vision loss, heart disease , and strokes.

Therefore, if a person consumes more calories than they require, it can contribute to weight gain. Maintaining a moderate weight helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and other health complications such as heart disease and stroke.

The exact reasoning behind this is unknown, but trends show that when individuals with alcohol use disorder discontinue consuming alcohol, they often turn to high-calorie foods to provide enjoyment.

In addition, it is possible for people with this condition to develop type 2 diabetes due to the disruption that chronic drinking can cause on various metabolic processes. When the brain does not receive enough glucose, it can become damaged, which may lead to chronic memory and learning impairment.

Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to severe and long-term health problems, which is why it is crucial to keep blood sugar levels within a typical range. People with alcohol use disorder may experience chronic health issues because of repeated hypoglycemia. If someone passes out or collapses, this may signify severely low blood sugar, requiring urgent medical attention.

If an individual with diabetes is hypoglycemic and their blood sugar levels do not improve after eating carbohydrates, they should seek medical attention. A doctor may need to administer treatment with glucagon to restore their usual blood sugar levels.

Alcohol and hypoglycemia are an unsafe combination, especially in people with diabetes and in those who drink frequently. But is the occasional cocktail or glass of wine really so bad? After all, a daily drink does have its benefits. Still, diabetes can make happy hour pretty confusing.

But what exactly is moderate drinking? A daily cocktail or two may improve blood glucose blood sugar management and insulin sensitivity. Too much drinking, on the other hand more than three drinks daily , can lead to higher blood glucose and A1C.

Despite the potential health perks of drinking alcohol, there are some cautions as well. The biggest concern is hypoglycemia low blood glucose.

When drinking alcohol is combined with the medications most often used to treat diabetes—particularly insulin and sulfonylureas, low blood glucose can result. Blame it on your liver. This organ stabilizes glucose levels by storing carbohydrates and releasing them into the bloodstream between meals and overnight.

It can cause major health problems in those with diabetes…. Patients with diabetes who used GLP-1 drugs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide had a decreased chance of being diagnosed….

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How Does Alcohol Affect Blood Sugars and Cause Hypoglycemia?

Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Catherine Crider on July 7, Alcohol and blood sugar Not immediate effect Symptoms Different alcohol types People without diabetes Treatment Takeaway Consuming alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia, especially for people with diabetes.

What effect does alcohol have on blood sugars? Why can your blood sugar drop several hours after drinking alcohol? Symptoms of alcohol-induced hypoglycemia. Do different types of alcohol affect your blood sugars differently? What about those without diabetes?

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Cutting on alcohol consumption will help reduce the symptoms of hypoglycemia drastically. This is a very important factor that is often overlooked by many people. This is particularly important for people who are suffering from diabetes.

If you drink on an empty stomach, then your liver will not be able to release glucose into the bloodstream. This will lower your blood sugar level thus increasing the risk of suffering from hypoglycemia.

This way, your body will have enough glucose meaning that your liver will be able to release glucose into your bloodstream even when you drink alcohol. Before you begin any treatment, it is very important to do your research to know what exactly you are suffering from. There are two types of hypoglycemia.

They include functional and reactive hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia is like an allergic reaction. It occurs when certain factor as such as stress, alcohol consumption, certain foods among many others are triggered.

On the other hand, functional hypoglycemia is triggered when there is abnormal glucose regulation in the body. Consult your doctor to help you determine the exact type of hypoglycemia that you are suffering from.

If you have had problems with hypoglycemia, then it is crucial to monitor your blood sugar level closely. This is particularly important for people who drink alcohol and are diabetic. Alcohol is one of the main causes of hypoglycemia. Therefore, before you start drinking, monitor your blood sugar to see if it is within the recommended level.

If you notice a sudden change in your blood sugar level, then you should stop drinking immediately and seek medical attention. The fact that you are monitoring your blood sugar level should not be an excuse to drink excess alcohol.

Always drink in moderation. Glucose tablets can help to boost your blood sugar level just in case your blood sugar falls suddenly. If you had a problem with hypoglycemia before, then it is crucial to always have glucose tablets within reach. Hypoglycemia can attack you anytime including when you are not consuming alcohol.

It is therefore important to always prepare yourself for any eventuality. However, before you purchase a glucose tablet, ensure that you consult your doctor for advice and recommendations. Also, ensure that take these tablets as prescribed. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction and you are suffering from low blood sugar, then it is wise to see share your struggles with close friends and family.

Just be open and let them know. For instance, if you used to go out for drinks with your friends, then they will stop calling you when they go out for drinks. They will also avoid putting you in situations that temps you to drink alcohol and if you have to drink alcohol, they will ensure that you drink in moderation.

If you well know that you have problems with hypoglycemia but you are still unable to quit drinking, alcohol, then the best thing to do is seek help from relevant professionals. For instance, you can talk to your doctor and explain to him about your struggle with alcoholism. You can also ask for help from a professional counsellor.

The counsellor will not only give you professional help but will also direct you to people who can help you get professional help. You can also seek help from local support groups. Hypoglycemia is a deadly condition that can greatly affect your life.

Take action immediately. This way you will get the professional help that will help you recover from addiction and possibly live a hypoglycemia free life. Check with your healthcare provider to see if drinking alcohol is safe for you.

This will depend on many things, such as your age, other health conditions, and the number and type of medicines you take. Your provider or dietitian can also tell you how to fit alcohol into your diet.

If you already drink, be honest with your provider. Tell them how often and how much you drink. Search Encyclopedia.

Alcohol Use and People with Diabetes Alcohol and diabetes Drinking alcohol can lower blood sugar levels to the point of low blood sugar hypoglycemia , causing serious symptoms. Don't drive for a few hours after you drink alcohol.