Drink red wine? liquor?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Drink red wine? liquor?
8
Fri, 11-14-2008 - 5:04pm

Can you drink red wine w/diabetes?
I've heard some say it actually lowers their blood sugar? - not a lot, of course.....

Also=
What about liquor?
I've heard it has no carbs. ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2008
Fri, 11-14-2008 - 10:08pm

I can't drink wine because of the sulfites used to preserve wines, therefore, I can't say whether it lowers blood sugar.

twosweet02

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Mon, 11-17-2008 - 10:03am

Depends on what liquor. I had half a glass of red wine on our anniversary and it did lower my blood sugar a bit. So, I would definitely be careful if you do drink a little wine to make sure you've got some carbs on hand (like with a meal) to make sure you don't get an unexpected low. On the other hand, it's not cause to go hog wild with foods you wouldn't usually eat safely. And, too, if you're one of the many diabetics who have been put on statins (or if you're on certain other medications as well), alcohol should probably be very very limited or out entirely because statins affect the liver and that's where alcohol is metabolized - I think the instructions with the statins specifically say No alcohol.

--Deb

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-17-2008 - 10:16pm

Deb,


If you are on insulin, like me, you can't have alcohol either because it will cause you to use up your insulin too quickly and cause your blood sugar to rise. Most diabetic meds caution against drinking alcohol with them.


medsassistance5.gif Medicine Assistance picture by HealthAccount
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Tue, 11-18-2008 - 8:44am

Nope not on insulin. Just metformin once a day (500 mg) and I made sure that there was a good time space between the 1/2 glass of wine and the medication (like half a day) just in case.

--Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Tue, 11-18-2008 - 8:09pm
I didn't realize that about insulin getting used up by alcohol!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 4:30pm
For me, red wine lowers my blood sugar (white wine raises it, then drops). I have one glass of red with dinner to help keep my levels in check. I have T2, not on insulin or meds -- tightly controlled blood sugars using diet (high-protein, low-carb), supplements (flax seed oil, chromium picolinate), and mild exercise (walking or 5-10 min. bike ride). The wine with dinner allows me to eat a full meal w/o exercising to lower it. I can't drink wine (or any alcohol) w/o a carb, otherwise drops too low, and can't have > 2 drinks in an evening. Have heard that red wine has anti-oxidant properties. Again, I am NOT on diabetic meds or insulin.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 11:24pm

I have had Type I diabetes for 32 years. I regularly drink red wine with dinner. It consistently lowers my blood sugar by about 30 points, that is from 120 to 90. I try to stay away from hard liquor, as the results can be sporadic.

What you should worry more about are carb loaded dishes like pasta, pizza, dinner rolls, & mashed potatoes. Those will do far more damage (long-term) than a simple glass of red wine.

--Billy
--Billy
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Wed, 12-10-2008 - 12:16pm
Thanks - have much experience with white wine?
Ever eat desserts - as opposed to pizza/pasta/rolls etc? - does that make a diff. betw those diff. types of carbs?