eLanka

Friday, 31 Oct 2025
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • Weekly Events and Advertisements
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Newsletter
  • eLanka Weddings
  • Property
  • eLanka Shop
  • Business Directory
eLankaeLanka
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • Weekly Events and Advertisements
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Follow US
© 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Blog » Articles » Alcoholic drinks when having diabetes Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake-Health writer
ArticlesDr Harold Gunatillake

Alcoholic drinks when having diabetes Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake-Health writer

admin
Last updated: June 13, 2023 3:32 pm
By
admin
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Alcoholic drinks when having diabetes

Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake-Health writer

Yes, true, people having raised blood sugar need to be careful drinking alcohol. They still can enjoy a drink or two without guilt, but intelligent drinking is the solution. Men with diabetes can still enjoy two drinks a day, just like the non-diabetics and women too can have just one drink a day.

A sugary drink like a cocktail can raise your blood sugar, and if you are on insulin medication you could whack small insulin shot to maintain a steady blood sugar level. Those on anti-diabetic tablets unfortunately may not have this flexibility.

If you drink on empty stomach, on the other hand a strong alcohol drink will bring your blood sugar level too low.

More Read

Book
Book Review Ichigo Ichie: The Japanese Art of Making the Most of Every Moment By Hector Garcia – By Donald Sarath Gunatillake
Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – September 2025
Whither Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) ? – By Bernard Fernando.

Beer

Some people with diabetes enjoy a glass of beer. Being fermented food the gut microbes looking after your immune system may like it, much more than spirit beverages. A 12 ounce beer has about 15grams of carbohydrates. Light beer has only about 6 grams of carbs. Craft beer seems to have lot more alcohol and empty calories than regular beer

Wine

Wine is considered a better drink for those having diabetes. It enhances the action of insulin and also more unlikely to get diabetes unlike the spirits. Moderation is important drinking wines too as too much will bring your blood sugar too low (hypoglycaemia). A standard 5-ounce serving has about 120 calories coming from alcohol and not carbs.

Cocktails

They may be healthier, but not for those having diabetes. There are fruits and sugary fluids added on which can spike your blood sugar level, on an empty stomach. You could enjoy a drink like margaritas and mojitos by adding a natural sweetener like stevia or artificial sweetener.

Bloody Mary has high carbs and should be avoided. One could enjoy a bloody Mary without alcohol, only tomato juice with added celery stems.

Liquor

Liquor or spirits are carb free, though made from barley. 5 ounces of liquor have the same amount of alcohol as 5 ounces of wine. When liquor is mixed with soda and other fruit juices can raise your blood sugar. It is advisable to drink liquor with plain soda or water.

After drinking alcohol of any kind you may get dehydrated. You may get up in the middle of the night with a dry mouth. Drink a lot of cool water before retiring to bed, of course it might wake you a few times to run to the toilet.

Insulin takers can react in different ways to drinking alcohol. They may be hypersensitive and drop the blood sugar level quite fast.

People with certain medications also need to be careful taking alcohol. Check with your doctor when he prescribes a new drug.

Avoid drinking alcohol on empty stomach. Eat some finger licking foods at a party when enjoying your favourite drink.

Check your blood sugar before going to bed after drinks. If it is too low may have to have a snack.

More Read

Jericho: The Oldest City on Earth – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket Team needs instant revamp – By Sunil Thenabadu
Bulk-billing changes are coming into effect tomorrow — what does it mean for you?

One should be aware that daily drinking can cause cancer. Alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde in the liver and gets into the blood which is a carcinogen.
Alcohol is a known cause of cancers in the mouth, throat, gullet, liver, breast large bowel and rectum.

It is the ethanol in all forms of liquor that can cause cancer, and those having diabetes are more prone to it.

Heavy drinking can reduce the sensitivity to insulin which can trigger type 2 diabetes. Heavy drinking causes chronic pancreatitis which can destroy the insulin secreting cells and produce diabetes.

Alcohol has empty calories which are responsible for becoming over-weight and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is increased.
Some researches papers reveal that moderate drinking provide some level of protection against developing diabetes. It is also proved by statistics that moderate drinkers live longer than the teetotallers

Among people having diabetes just one or two drinks a day may make your body more sensitive to insulin.
In conclusion, we suggest a drink or two daily, unsweetened, for type 2 diabetics with no guilt. Daily exercise is an adjuvant or punishment.

Some reference to WebMD

TAGGED:Alcoholic drinks when having diabetesdiabetesDr. Harold Gunatillake
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article SRI LANKA NEWS IN BRIEF
Next Article A RIGHT TO DREAM
FacebookLike
YoutubeSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Most Read
10 Pictures With Fascinating Stories Behind Them!

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A 1000 WORDS” – By Des Kelly

Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment

A Life Hack for when we’re Burnt Out & Broken Down – By Uma Panch

Narration of the History of our Proud Ancestral (Orang Jawa) Heritage. by Noor R. Rahim

eLanka Weddings

eLanka Marriage Proposals

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News- By Noel Whittaker

EILEEN MARY SIBELLE DE SILVA (nee DISSANAYAKE) – 29 September 1922 – 6 April 2018 – A Woman of Value an Appreciation written by Mohini Gunasekera

K.K.S. Cement Factory

Dr.Harold Gunatillake’s 90th Birthday party

Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne

Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

- Advertisement -
Ad image
Related News
Abeyagunewardena, (nee Dahanayake), Kamala Gunasilu Irangani
Articles Obituaries

Abeyagunewardena, (nee Dahanayake), Kamala Gunasilu Irangani

Carrum Downs Sri Lankan Seniors group - SENIOR'S FESTIVAL
Articles

Carrum Downs Sri Lankan Seniors group – SENIOR’S FESTIVAL

Kaleidoscope 286
Articles Savithri Rodrigo

From Mexico’s Halloween to Jaffna’s Art, Market News to Michael Kors on Kaleidoscope 286

Kumar Sangakkara’s adorable love story with Yehali
Articles

From school crush to life partner: Kumar Sangakkara’s adorable love story with Yehali

Sri Lanka athletics 2025, Fathima Shafiya Yamick, Sri Lankan sprinter, South Asian Athletics Championship 2025, Ranchi India athletics, Sri Lanka sports news, women’s 100m record Sri Lanka, women’s 200m record Sri Lanka, 4x100m relay Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka gold medals athletics, South Asian Games athletics, record-breaking performances Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan female athletes, Kandy sports stars,
Articles

Shafiya Yamick sprints to triple Gold with record-breaking performances

  • Quick Links:
  • Articles
  • DESMOND KELLY
  • Dr Harold Gunatillake
  • English Videos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala Videos
  • eLanka Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Tamil Videos
  • Dr. Harold Gunatillake
  • Sunil Thenabadu
  • Sinhala Movies
  • Trevine Rodrigo
  • Tamil Movies
  • Michael Roberts

eLanka

Your Trusted Source for News & Community Stories: Stay connected with reliable updates, inspiring features, and breaking news. From politics and technology to culture, lifestyle, and events, eLanka brings you stories that matter — keeping you informed, engaged, and connected 24/7.
Kerrie road, Oatlands , NSW 2117 , Australia.
Email : info@eLanka.com.au / rasangivjes@gmail.com.
WhatsApp : +61402905275 / +94775882546

(c) 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.