Alcohol and Diabetes: 7 Diabetic-Friendly Drinks

People living with diabetes can drink alcohol with some consideration and planning to ensure their blood sugar levels stay within their target range. 

There are some pros and cons of alcohol for people with type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular (heart) disease risk is lower in people drinking moderate amounts of alcohol.¹ 

For reference, moderate drinking equates to one drink daily for women and up to two drinks daily for men. One drink is five ounces of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or one and a half ounces of spirits.¹

On the other hand, individuals taking certain diabetes medications are at risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), especially if they drink on an empty stomach.¹

Keep reading to learn more about how alcohol affects people with diabetes, how to consume alcohol safely, and better drink choices with type 2 diabetes.

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Alcohol and Type 2 Diabetes: What You Need to Know

Understanding how alcohol is broken down (or metabolized) is key to knowing how to manage alcohol with type 2 diabetes. 

Alcohol is absorbed mainly from the small intestine and transferred through the bloodstream to the liver. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver. As your liver breaks down the alcohol, your blood alcohol content is lowered.² 

In people living with diabetes and without, the liver is also responsible for stabilizing glucose (blood sugar) levels. Carbohydrates are stored in the liver and released between meals and overnight to maintain a target blood sugar level. 

The liver struggles to break down alcohol and maintain steady blood glucose levels simultaneously. Usually, the liver prioritizes alcohol breakdown, which can lead to low blood glucose levels. Eating alongside alcohol can help prevent too low glucose levels, but is still a risk.¹

Symptoms of low blood sugar and drunkenness are similarly making it hard to distinguish. Similar symptoms include slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech.¹ 

Smart Sips: 7 Perfect Alcoholic Choices for Diabetes

Choose alcoholic drinks that are lower in carbohydrates and sugar content, as liquid carbohydrates are absorbed faster. 

Moderate drinking provides some health benefits, whereas heavy drinking puts you at risk for diabetes and other health complications.

Remember, moderate drinking equates to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks for men. Below are alcoholic beverages that are lower in carbohydrates and a quick summary of drinks to avoid.

1. Red Wine

One drink (or five ounces) of red wine provides 125 calories and 3.8 g of carbohydrates.¹⁰  

Red wine has the highest amount of polyphenols of any alcoholic beverage. These antioxidants help prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes.⁸

2. Light Beer

A twelve-ounce light beer contains 103 calories and 4.6 g of carbohydrate.¹¹ A regular beer has 12.6 g of carbohydrate.¹² 

Light beer is almost three times lower in carbohydrates than regular beer, making it a better choice for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

3. Dry Martini

A martini is a cocktail drink made with gin and vermouth, with an olive, lemon, or lime garnish. Martinis are very low in carbohydrates, making them suitable for people with diabetes. 

A four-ounce martini contains 241 calories and 0.2 g of carbohydrates.¹³

4. White Wine

Five ounces of white wine contains 121 calories and 3.8 g of carbohydrates.¹⁴ White wine contains half the polyphenols as red wine.⁸ 

White wine is a lower carbohydrate option for people with type 2 diabetes.

5. Bloody Mary

A classic Bloody Mary is made with six ounces of tomato juice, one and a half ounces of vodka, spices (salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce), and garnished with olives or celery.¹⁵

Choose a low or no-added-salt tomato sauce and omit the added salt for a lower-sodium version. This diabetes-friendly mixed drink contains 141 calories and 9 g of carbohydrates per serving.¹⁵ 

The tomato juice retains some of the fiber, unlike most juices. Tomato juice contains all your vitamin C needs, is a good source of vitamin A, and is a rich source of another antioxidant, lycopene. Lycopene reduces inflammation that can contribute to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.^17,18

6. Hard Seltzer

Hard seltzer combines carbonated water, alcohol, and a small amount of fruit juice. Hard seltzers are low in carbohydrates and similar to beer in alcohol content and serving size. 

A twelve-ounce can of hard seltzer provides 100 calories and 2 g of carbohydrates.¹⁹

7. Distilled Spirits

Distilled spirits or hard liquor contain virtually no carbohydrates and 97 calories in a one-and-a-half-ounce serving size.²⁰ They include tequila, rum, gin, vodka, whiskey, and bourbon. 

The carbohydrate content depends on what you mix into the distilled spirits. Juices and sugar-sweetened beverages like soda can add a significant amount of carbohydrates. 

When choosing alcoholic beverages with type 2 diabetes, avoid drinks that have a lot of added sugar and carbohydrates. 

This includes margaritas, sangrias, daiquiris, and pina coladas. An eight-ounce margarita has 36 g of carbohydrates^21, and a sangria has 19 g of carbohydrates.²² 

Dessert wines are also higher in carbohydrates, at 14 g of carbohydrates per serving.²³ Regular beer is comparable to a dessert wine.¹²  

Tips for Drinking Safely With Type 2 Diabetes

When drinking with type 2 diabetes, it is crucial to be aware of the carbohydrate content of the alcoholic beverage and aim for moderate drinking to prevent unhealthy blood sugar fluctuations. 

• Eat before or while drinking
• Moderation is key (limit to one drink for a woman and two drinks for a man)
• Choose wisely; pick lower-carbohydrate alcoholic drinks
• Monitor blood sugar to prevent low and high blood sugar levels

Learn How to Improve Your Nutrition and Monitor Your Glycemic Index Levels With Signos’ Expert Advice

A Signos’ continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help you know how your blood sugar level responds to alcohol, food, supplements, vitamins, beverages, and exercise. You can discretely monitor your response to alcohol with a CGM.  

A Signos’ CGM can help you improve your health while trying to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. Learn more about how Signos works. Take a quick quiz to determine if Signos fits your needs. 

<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Keep reading: </strong><a href="/blog/low-calorie-alcoholic-drinks">9 Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drinks for Weight Loss</a>.</p>