If you are wondering – can drinking alcohol cause diabetes – you had probably better assess whether drinking alcohol has become a problem for you in the bigger scheme of things. The answer to the question is probably no, but scientists are always discovering new relationships to alcohol and a variety of consequences – usually negative consequences. There is not direct causal relationship to answer “can drinking alcohol cause diabetes”, but drinking causes so many reactions in the system it may well be found to be a risk factor. It is known to sometimes cause hypoglycemia, which is a drop in the blood sugar level below safe readings. Hypoglycemia mimics the symptoms of being drunk. So there is a risk of passing out while drinking heavily and nobody seeking help because they just think you are drunk. But the reason you are wondering can drinking alcohol cause diabetes is probably because you are wondering if you are drinking too much. Drinking in moderation will not cause much of anything for most people, and even diabetics won’t be affected by an occasional drink or two even several times a week.
Can Excessive Drinking Cause Diabetes?
This is similar to asking “Can drinking alcohol cause diabetes? Again, the causal relationship is not direct but excessive drinking often leads to weight gain, which is a risk factor for diabetes. And if you are already a diabetic, this is the opposite effect you want. You should be losing weight, not gaining it. And alcohol is a good source of empty calories that have little if any nutritional value.
Excessive drinking can cause you to make poor decisions and if you are already diabetic, excessive drinking may lead you to start eating things that conflict with good diabetic diet guidelines. Excessive drinking has no medical value at all, as opposed to some benefits that can be argued for a drink of red wine or another very moderate drinking schedule, such as a single beverage with your meal.
Can Drinking Beer Cause Diabetes?
It’s surprising to know that some people don’t consider drinking beer the same as drinking alcohol. The simple fact is that beer is alcohol, just not as high a concentration per serving. Beer will generally cause weight gain more so than other alcoholic beverages for the heavy drinker because more of it is consumed.
Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Diabetes to Get Worse?
The answer to this question is yes. The weight gain issue has already been addressed. But heavy drinking over time damages other organs of the body as well, including the pancreas and kidneys, which are already at risk with diabetes. The best thing to do if you are asking yourself these questions is probably to assess if you have a drinking problem in general. Why not just stop – especially if you are diabetic. One thing is certain…nobody needs alcohol.
