Article Category: Nutrition
Author: Shifa Fatima, MSc.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Apoorva T, MHM.
Last Reviewed: May 7, 2022
Is whiskey good for diabetes or not is something subjective. People with diabetes have to exercise caution and restriction on their diet and drinks. Anything they eat or drink could affect their blood sugar levels which may lead to unnecessary highs and lows. This also includes alcohol.
When people get diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes later in age, or when a person with T1D grows up, it gets tough to reduce sugar even more, especially with the plethora of food and drink options available to choose from. When it comes to alcohol, as people grow up, the use of alcohol begins. People drink at parties or occasions and have a good time. The frequency of drinking, the preference for the type of alcohol, mixers, etc. depends on each person.
Whiskey is one of the most prominent drinks in the country and many people, old and young, have a taste for this beverage. There are different types of whiskey and ways of drinking it. Normally, people do not think much before indulging in a couple of drinks, once or twice a week. However, people with comorbidities need to be super cautious before they consume alcohol.
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Diabetes is a chronic endocrine disorder that is caused due to various reasons. While consuming alcohol doesn't exactly cause diabetes, it can expedite other diabetes causing tendencies.
Alcohol may make regulating your blood sugar more challenging if you have diabetes in a variety of ways:
Chronic excessive drinking may:
Often on a night out with friends or family we end up having a drink or two with dinner. But have you ever wondered what the nutritional composition of these drinks are?
Whiskey is a sort of distilled alcoholic beverage that is manufactured from fermented grain mash. Barley, maize, rye, and wheat are among the grains that are used in the production of various types of whiskeys. Barrels composed of charred white oak are commonly used for the aging process of whisky, which takes place in wooden casks.
Whiskey, like all other types of distilled spirits, includes very little sugar (approximately 0.044 grams per 1.5 ounces) or none at all. Consequently, it does not raise blood sugar levels in the body.
Important Note: This might alter depending on:
For people with diabetes, consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited but if at all one has to drink, drinking whiskey, gin or vodka are much safer options as they have a low sugar content.
It all depends on the number of drinks consumed per day or per week for it to be deemed good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. One thing that is for sure is that these drinks need to be consumed in moderation and very judiciously keeping all the parameters in check.
If at all you are a diabetic and you step into a bar with your friends, you need to be careful of:
Whiskey, overall, might not be as harmful, however, one needs to be careful when whiskey is taken with a mixed drink like Coke or a juice. These mixers have a significant amount of sugar in them which might cause the blood sugar levels to fluctuate.
Recommendation: To ensure that the low calories of whiskey good for diabetes remain good, keep the mixers limited to the diet version. Use:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 123 |
| Proteins | 0 grams |
| Fat | 0 grams |
| Carbs | 0 grams |
| Fiber | 0 grams |
| Sugar | 0 grams |
Additional Nutrients: High in phosphorus, Vitamin B1, Zinc, Iron, and Vitamin B3.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 97 |
| Proteins | 0 grams |
| Fat | 0 grams |
| Carbs | 0 grams |
| Fiber | 0 grams |
| Sugar | 0 grams |
| Sodium | 0.42mg |
| Glycemic Index | 0 |
Because of the 0 carbs, the glycemic index of scotch whiskey is also said to be 0.
Being careful while engaging in a night of drinks is the most important aspect for any person with diabetes. It is best to:
Glycemic index of whisky is 0. It contains simple sugars that are capable of being broken down by the body. The overall composition of whiskey makes it easier for our bodies to get accustomed to being able to regulate the levels of insulin required.
Conclusion: Drinking whiskey in moderation, therefore, might be safe for a person with diabetes as it hardly affects the glucose levels in the body.
Cancer and Dementia Protection: Some whiskey provides protection against cancer and also dementia. The compound – ellagic acid that is present in whiskey helps to remove the useless cells in the body
Weight Loss: It contributes to weight loss and it has no fats or carbs. It does not add to the body weight, and therefore, can be a good drink for people on a diet
Stress Reduction: At times, it can be good for reducing stress and calming down anxiety levels. It improves the blood flow in the body. Important: It is important to remember to not rely on whiskey to do so, as it might cause dependency
Diabetes Risk Reduction: It also reduces the risk of the onset of diabetes by 40%
Drinking when you have diabetes may be safe if you choose the right drinks and consider how alcohol may impact your blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs in lower-than-normal insulin synthesis or function, which controls your blood sugar levels.
Depending on the drink and whether or not you have just eaten, excessive alcohol consumption may raise or lower your blood sugar levels.
According to research:
The best alcohol for diabetics to drink will be those alcoholic drinks with a reduced overall sugar or carbohydrate content:
Safe Options (if you avoid sugary juices and syrups):
Beverages to Avoid:
These can result in a rise in blood sugar levels.
Regardless of the kind of alcoholic beverage you choose to drink, keep in mind that blood sugar regulation is influenced by more than just the sugar in such beverages. The alcohol itself does as well. That's why you must:
When used with certain diabetic medications, such as sulfonylureas and insulin, which already increase the risk of hypoglycemia, alcohol has a multiplicative impact on the risk of hypoglycemia.
Important: If you are taking medication, talk to your doctor about the best method to drink alcohol while doing so and if it is safe to do so.
Whiskey has 0 carbs, fats, or sugars. Even the glycemic index of whisky is almost negligible. Therefore, it can be safe for a person with diabetes to consume whiskey in moderation.
People with diabetes can drink alcohol in moderation, but must exercise extreme caution as alcohol affects blood sugar levels. It's essential to monitor blood glucose before and after drinking and avoid alcohol if levels are already abnormal.
A person with diabetes can drink whiskey regularly as long as they are careful of the quantity. Higher levels of alcohol might lead to hypoglycemia or problems with the liver. Recommendation: Not more than 1-2 alcoholic beverages in a day should be consumed by people with diabetes.
Anything that would have higher levels of carbs and sugars will not be suited for a person with diabetes:
These should be avoided.
As a rule of thumb, any kind of alcohol is bad for people with diabetes as it tends to spike blood sugar levels and then dip them extremely low. But relatively speaking, whiskey contains the least amount of carbs and sugars among all alcohol types and can be had by people with diabetes in little quantities.
Among all alcohol, whiskey has the least amount of carbs and sugar per ounce and while it is not healthy to drink alcohol, whiskey does not tend to raise blood sugar. However, it should be consumed cautiously and in very little quantities in order for it to not be harmful. Any type of alcohol tends to lower blood sugar levels 12-14 hours after consumption.
Yes, alcohol affects blood sugar the next day especially among people with type 1 diabetes. Alcohol tends to take blood sugar to dangerously low levels the morning after drinking and can also cause hypoglycemic episodes in people with diabetes. Having a healthy breakfast and hydrating yourself is important after consuming alcohol.
This website's content is provided only for educational reasons and is not meant to be a replacement for professional medical advice. Due to individual differences, the reader should contact their physician to decide whether the material is applicable to their case.
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