Can Diabetics Drink Whiskey?

Do you suffer from high blood sugar or diabetes? The prevalence of diabetic patients in America is quite high at 34.2 million people, according to a research study done in 2018. Diabetics are always cautious and concerned about the things they consume. Consuming items that have a higher level of sugar is not very good for them.

Among the major concerns for diabetic patients is the consumption of alcohol. These patients are not sure about the effects of consuming alcohol or whiskey as they have diabetes. You are more likely to find out the answer behind this question of can diabetics drink whiskey in this article.

Alcohol And Diabetes

People who have diabetes do not necessarily have to stop drinking whiskey and other alcoholic beverages. These people can continue to drink their preferred alcohol, but they have to be extra careful and take extra precautions. There are some special rules or guidelines for diabetics regarding their alcohol consumption.

According to this set of rules or guidelines, men can take three alcohol units in a day, whereas women can take two alcohol units each day. However, you have to also care about the units of alcohol your drink has. Often, a large pint of beer can have three alcohol units, or a glass of wine can have two units of alcohol in it.

How To Measure One Unit Of Alcohol

You can measure one unit of alcohol by comparing the size of your drink to the following. Particularly, one unit is equal to half a pint of beer, cider, or lager. You can also measure equal to one pub shot that is 50 ml of vermouth or sherry. If you want to drink soda, whiskey, vodka, or spirit, then one unit is 25 ml of these drinks.

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Ideal Ways Of Drinking Whiskey

Can Diabetics Drink Whiskey – Ideal Ways Of Drinking

Ideally, diabetics should check their blood sugar levels before they proceed with consuming alcohol or whiskey. If these blood sugar levels are low or moderate, then drinking whiskey will not have an I’ll effect.

In comparison, if you have a high blood sugar level, consuming whiskey or alcohol increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is the physical condition in which the blood sugar levels inside our body get very low.

Different people have different behavior towards alcohol. Diabetics that take insulin need to be cautious of hypoglycemia. It is better to conduct blood tests before you start taking whiskey or other alcoholic beverages. People who are obese or overweight should also refrain from drinking alcohol as it may increase their body weight.

Some Simple Steps to Follow for Avoiding Hypoglycemia

  • Avoid drinking your whiskey or alcohol when you are an empty stomach. Drinking with an empty stomach will increase the amount of alcohol in your body. Due to this, your blood will carry higher amounts of alcohol throughout your body.
  • Never drink too much whiskey or alcohol. Drinking a higher quantity of alcohol will also increase the concentration of alcohol in your blood.
  • Don’t use whiskey or alcohol as a substitute for food and meals. Consuming alcohol instead of food is very unhealthy and dangerous. Alcohol can never fulfill the energy and vitamin requirements of your body.

Benefits Of Drinking Whiskey

Drinking a considerate amount of whiskey regularly also has some health benefits, such as protection against cancer. Whiskey contains a unique compound known as ellagic acid. This chemical is responsible for removing the useless cells in our body. This compound is also present in wine and fruits, but its concentration is much higher in whiskey than in them.

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Whiskey also significantly contributes to your loss of weight. As whiskey has no fats and carbohydrates, drinking it will not add to your body weight. Whiskey also contains regular sugar that is easy for our body to break down.

Drinking alcohol or whiskey is also good for reducing stress and calming anxiety. After a difficult day at work, you can have a glass of whiskey to reduce the impact and fatigue on your body and mind. Alcohol and whiskey also calm down the nerves by improving the flow of blood inside your body.

However, relying too much on alcohol for calming your stress and anxiety is harmful. This situation can build up alcohol addiction in your body, so it is best to consume alcohol at intervals instead of regular consumption. According to a study, consumption of whiskey reduces the risk of triggering diabetes by 40%.

Whiskey has simple sugars that our bodies can break down. Due to this whiskey consumption, our body also gets accustomed to regulating the insulin and sugar in the blood. Very few people know the fact that whiskey also slows down or reduces the chances of dementia.

Drinking moderate amounts of whiskey lowers the risk of dementia in the elderly up to 50% compared to those who don’t drink.

Benefits Of Drinking Whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Whiskey High in Sugar?

No, whiskey is not high in sugar. Whiskey has no carbohydrates, no fat, and close to no sugar. If you are following a diet, then consuming whiskey is an excellent option for you. For people who have diabetes, drinking whiskey is safe. It hardly affects the glucose or sugar levels in our body.

You do have to be careful about the amount of whiskey you consume as well. A high amount of alcohol is not healthy for your body. You can have an improved flow of blood by consuming a low or moderate quantity of whiskey.

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How Much Whiskey Can a Diabetic Patient Drink?

Diabetic patients can drink whiskey regularly only if they are careful of the quantity they are taking in. Diabetes does offer difficult challenges to an alcohol or whiskey drinker as consuming a higher quantity, or the wrong brand of alcohol can significantly impact their body’s blood sugar levels.

According to the American Diabetes Association, women diabetics should not consume more than one alcoholic beverage in a day, whereas men diabetics should not consume more than two alcoholic beverages. This association also breaks down alcohol concentration for your drinks, such as one drink equals 1.5 ounces of spirit, 5 ounces of, and 12 ounces beer.

Which Alcohol Is Not Suitable for Diabetic Patients?

Alcoholic beverages with a low amount of carbohydrates and sugar are suitable for diabetic patients, such as whiskey. But alcoholic beverages that contain moderate or high sugar levels can be hazardous for people with diabetes.

Consumption of such drinks or beverages can increase or decrease glucose or sugar levels in your body. Popular drinks such as beer or wine are delightful in their taste and nature, and you should completely avoid such drinks.

Final Verdict

This article contains the answer to fundamental questions that whiskey lovers keep asking whether diabetics drink whiskey. Diabetics can have whiskey in low or moderate quantity as this drink does not contain fats or carbohydrates. Whiskey also has close to zero sugar, due to which you can enjoy this cold beverage in the summer days. But the amount of alcohol you consume should also be considered and kept in mind.