How Does Alcohol Affect Blood Sugar?
First, let’s look at your liver. Your liver makes and stores glucose (sugar). This glucose will be released when your body needs to raise your blood sugar levels. The liver also metabolizes, or breaks down, alcohol. When your liver breaks down alcohol, its glucose production is impaired.Now let’s look at medicines you may be taking. Insulin and other diabetes medicines, like sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide) and metformin, decrease your blood sugar levels. Regular meals and a medicine plan will help you keep your blood glucose at healthy levels. However, habits like skipping meals can cause low blood sugar levels.Combining already low blood sugar levels with alcohol-impaired liver function will put you at risk for dangerously low blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur shortly after drinking. The effect can continue for 8-12 hours afterwards. The symptoms of hypoglycemia and being drunk are similar—confusion, anxiety, and feeling faint. Be careful not to mi
First, let’s look at your liver. Your liver makes and stores glucose (sugar). This glucose will be released when your body needs to raise your blood sugar levels. The liver also meta2bolizes, or breaks down, alcohol. When your liver breaks down alcohol, its glucose production is impaired. Now let’s look at medicines you may be taking. Insulin and other diabetes medicines, like sulfonylureas ( glipizide , glyburide ) and metformin , decrease your blood sugar levels. Regular meals and a medicine plan will help you keep your blood glucose at healthy levels. However, habits like skipping meals can cause low blood sugar levels. Combining already low blood sugar levels with alcohol-impaired liver function will put you at risk for dangerously low blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia . Hypoglycemia can occur shortly after drinking. The effect can continue for 8-12 hours afterwards. The symptoms of hypoglycemia and being drunk are similar—confusion, anxiety, and feeling faint. Be careful n
