Red wine Among all types of wine, red wine is linked with the most health benefits — both for people with diabetes and for the general population — due to its high antioxidant content ( 17 , 18 , 19 ).
Most people with diabetes can drink alcohol, including wine, as long as they do not have another medical condition that makes drinking unsafe. Wine may even offer some protective health benefits in small quantities.
According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking red wine — or any alcoholic beverage — can lower blood sugar for up to 24 hours. Because of this, they recommend checking your blood sugar before you drink, while you drink, and monitoring it for up to 24 hours after drinking.
Some research says wine (red or white) may help your body use insulin better and may even make you less likely to get type 2 diabetes in the first place. It may also have heart benefits, to boot! Moderation is the key as too much alcohol can cause hypoglycemia.
If you're looking to go low sugar, then there are some basic approaches you can take. Your best bet is to stick with hard spirits like gin, vodka, whiskey and rum, but watch your mixer. Wine is a good option, but it's best to go for a red or a dry white. Beer might be good for low sugar, but it can be high in calories.
Pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum and vodka are all completely sugar-free whereas wines and light beer like Sapporo or Budvar have a minimal carb content.
Alcohol consumption by diabetics can worsen blood sugar control in those patients. For example, long-term alcohol use in well-nourished diabetics can result in excessive blood sugar levels.
Technically, the answer is no because without sugar there would be no wine. Sugar is the main ingredient needed in order to create the alcohol in wine. However, according to the standard definition, “sugar free” wine is any wine that has a concentration of 1 gram per liter or less of residual sugars.
Monitor your blood sugar.
Alcohol can actually lower blood glucose levels. The liver, which produces glucose, is kept busy metabolizing the alcohol, causing it to produce less glucose, says Dr. Baker. Check blood glucose before drinking and one or two hours after drinking.
So yes, you can still drink, but you need to be aware of how it can affect your body and how to manage this. For example, drinking can make you more likely to have a hypo, because alcohol interferes with your blood sugar levels. It can affect your weight too, as there can be a lot of calories in alcoholic drinks.
Your body is made up of nearly two-thirds water, so it makes sense to drink enough every day to stay hydrated and healthy. Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices and smoothies all count.
Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best. Avoid sugar-sweetened options, as these can raise blood glucose, drive weight gain, and increase diabetes risk ( 22 , 23 ).
Some studies suggest that drinking coffee — whether caffeinated and decaffeinated — may actually reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, however, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with higher or lower blood sugar levels.
In short, yes, it's safe to drink coffee if you have diabetes. Although the research on coffee's benefits is mixed, as long as you keep an eye on your blood sugar and stick to coffee with less sugar, drinking coffee shouldn't be dangerous. But make sure you limit your caffeine consumption to a reasonable amount.
Pinot Noir is rated as the healthiest wine because of the high levels of resveratrol. It is made of grapes with thin skin, has low sugar, fewer calories, and low alcohol content.
Prosecco, Champagne, and Cava generally contain 2 or 3 carbs per glass, making them great options if you're trying to follow a low carb diet.
Many wine experts consider pinot noir to be the healthiest red wine because it contains the highest concentration of resveratrol. Pinot noir also contains fewer calories than other red wine varieties and may be less likely to cause heartburn thanks to its relatively low tannin content.
Research suggests that moderate consumption of red wine could have health benefits for those with type 2 diabetes. A glass of red wine with dinner may help lower glucose levels, reducing the body's need for insulin. This occurs as the liver, which produces glucose, must first handle the metabolization of alcohol.
Moderate alcohol consumption (no more than one to two drinks per day) is perfectly safe for most people with diabetes. To avoid hypoglycemia, don't drink on an empty stomach and check your blood sugar often while drinking and up to 24 hours after you stop drinking.
Whiskey has low carb, fat, and sugar content, making it a desirable alcoholic beverage to consume. It has peculiar health benefits for those undergoing diabetes treatment. It prevents diabetes, aids weight loss, and also decreases the risk of heart diseases.
People with diabetes need to be extra careful with alcohol. Alcohol intake significantly increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). If your diabetes is already well under control, a moderate amount of alcohol may be fine either before, during or soon after a meal.
Pure alcohol like rum, vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey contains no carbs.
The easiest way to bring your blood sugar level back to normal is by drinking a lot of water. If your daily water intake level is normal, then your blood sugar remains in control. Water helps kidneys to flush out toxins and insulin from the body.