Yes, adults with diabetes can drink alcohol and should follow the same guidelines as the general public—an average of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for MEN, with no more than three or four drinks in any single day for women and men, respectively. “Research shows moderate alcohol consumption has minimal short- or long-term effects on glucose levels in people with type 1 or 2 diabetes,” says Marion Franz, RD, CDE, owner of Nutrition Concepts by Franz in Minneapolis.

Although alcoholic drinks are made from grains or fruits (starches or sugars) through the processes of fermentation and distillation, alcohol cannot be changed into glucose, she says. ALSO, alcohol is the only nutrient that doesn’t require insulin to be broken down for energy; carbohydrate, protein, and fat do. However, drinking more than three drinks per day over time has been shown to MAKE glucose control a challenge.

For people who take insulin or ANOTHER blood glucose-lowering medication that can cause hypoglycemia, eat some food when drinking alcohol. A cautionary note to people with type 1 diabetes: Significant alcohol intake can cause hypoglycemia a number of hours later, so REGULARLY check blood sugar levels when you drink.

Yes, adults with diabetes can drink alcohol and should follow the same guidelines as the general public—an average of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, with no more than three or four drinks in any single day for women and men, respectively. “Research shows moderate alcohol consumption has minimal short- or long-term effects on glucose levels in people with type 1 or 2 diabetes,” says Marion Franz, RD, CDE, owner of Nutrition Concepts by Franz in Minneapolis.

Although alcoholic drinks are made from grains or fruits (starches or sugars) through the processes of fermentation and distillation, alcohol cannot be changed into glucose, she says. Also, alcohol is the only nutrient that doesn’t require insulin to be broken down for energy; carbohydrate, protein, and fat do. However, drinking more than three drinks per day over time has been shown to make glucose control a challenge.

For people who take insulin or another blood glucose-lowering medication that can cause hypoglycemia, eat some food when drinking alcohol. A cautionary note to people with type 1 diabetes: Significant alcohol intake can cause hypoglycemia a number of hours later, so regularly check blood sugar levels when you drink.