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Alcohol & Prediabetes

Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose levels measure above normal but aren't yet out of control. It's the precursor to diabetes. More than 56 million Americans suffer from prediabetes and are at risk not only for type 2 diabetes but also for cardiovascular complications.

Prediabetes is not diabetes; it's a signal of the early stages of the disease. As such, the illness can be reversed with proper diet and exercise to help stabilize safe glucose levels. One of the most critical steps to take is limiting the intake of alcohol, which raises blood sugar levels and increases risk.

  1. Effects of Alcohol and the Body's System

    • Alcohol moves quickly through the body. It enters the blood without being metabolized in the stomach. Alcohol can be measured in the blood within five minutes of having a drink, and within 30 to 90 minutes after you've had a drink, the alcohol in your bloodstream will be at its highest level.

      The liver is responsible for most of the breakdown of alcohol once it is in your body. However, the body needs time, and if you are drinking alcohol faster than your body can break down the alcohol, the excess begins to move through your body and into other areas, such as the brain, where it can destroy cells.

    Alcohol and the Risk of Hypoglycemia

    • When a prediabteic patient consumes alcohol, he or she is susceptible to hypoglycemia, an abnormally low blood glucose level. Hypoglycemia can cause seizures, unconsciousness and in rare cases brain damage or death.

    Concentrate on Lifestyle

    • Focusing on lifestyle changes is necessary to help ward off diabetes. If you are drinking, strictly limit yourself or stop altogether. You may safely consume a drink on occasion, depending on the severity of your prediabetic state. However, don't over-consume, and always allow your body plenty of time to absorb the alcohol.

    Alcohol and Calories

    • Aside from the effect on sugar production and metabolism in prediabetic patients, alcohol is a source of calories. Excessive intake of alcohol contributes to weight gain, which can in turn disrupt blood sugar levels.

    Commonsense Prevention

    • First, speak to your physician about alcohol in your diet to help reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

      If you do have a drink, make sure you aren't drinking on an empty stomach, and limit consumption to one drink if you are female, two if you are male. Select drinks that are low in alcohol and sugar, such as a spritzer. Also, use mixers that are sugar free, such as diet drinks, tonics, and seltzers or water.

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