November 2026
Many people with diabetes wonder if they need to give up drinking alcohol entirely. The answer isn’t a hard no — but it’s not a simple yes either.
Here’s what you need to know to decide if it’s OK for you to consume alcohol — along with tips to keep you safe and healthy if you do.
Don’t drink for your heart health
The old wisdom was that a glass of red wine daily was protective of heart health. That’s not exactly what researchers think today.
Those early findings came from observational studies that linked light drinking to lower rates of heart disease. But newer, more rigorous research has found no meaningful heart benefit from alcohol — and as little as one serving of alcohol can increase the risk of heart arrhythmia in people who already have atrial fibrillation (AFib).
How alcohol affects blood sugar
Your liver does more than filter alcohol — it also releases stored glucose into your bloodstream to keep your blood sugar steady between meals and overnight. But when you drink, your liver prioritizes clearing the alcohol over releasing glucose. The result: Your blood sugar can drop, sometimes to dangerously low levels (hypoglycemia). This risk is higher if you take insulin or some other diabetes medications.
Unfortunately, the warning signs of low blood sugar — slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, dizziness — look a lot like being drunk. This means you (or the people around you) may mistake low blood sugar for drunkenness, delaying you from addressing the real problem.
Because your liver stays busy processing alcohol, blood sugar can fall long after your last drink. That means you can feel fine when you go to bed and still have a dangerous blood sugar low while you sleep.
When to skip alcohol entirely
For some people with diabetes, the safest amount of alcohol is none. Your may need to skip alcohol if:
- You’re pregnant. According to the CDC, there’s no safe amount, no safe time, and no safe type of alcohol during pregnancy.
- You take a medication that lowers your blood sugar. This includes insulin or a sulfonylurea (medications like glipizide, glimepiride, or glyburide). Because both alcohol and these medications lower blood sugar, combining them puts you at increased risk of a dangerous blood sugar low.
- You have hypoglycemia unawareness. People with this condition don’t feel the early warning signs of a blood sugar low coming on. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar regardless of what medication you take, which can turn dangerous fast if you miss the signs of a blood sugar low.
- You have kidney or liver problems. Alcohol can further strain your kidneys and liver, so if you have any problem with either organ, it’s best to avoid drinking altogether.
When in doubt, ask. Your doctor or pharmacist can look at your specific medications and health history and tell you whether drinking in moderation is safe for you.
Smart habits if you choose to drink
If your provider has cleared you to drink alcohol in moderation, these tips can help you drink more safely:
- Eat first. Never drink on an empty stomach. Food slows alcohol’s effect on your blood sugar and reduces your risk of a dangerous blood sugar low. Having a meal or a carb-containing snack before and while you drink also helps you to maintain your blood sugar.
- Drink in moderation. The American Diabetes Association defines moderate drinking as up to one drink a day for women and two for men. Many diabetes providers recommend less. And be clear about what a “drink” is: five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof alcohol.
- Skip the sugar-rich drinks. Regular soda, juice, and syrupy cocktail mixes can spike your blood sugar. Instead, reach for light beer, dry wine, or a mixer of water, seltzer, or diet soda.
- Check your blood sugar. Test before you drink and while you’re drinking. Alcohol can cause low blood sugar hours after you’ve finished drinking, so be sure to check your blood sugar again before bed — and have a carby snack if you’re running low.
- Don’t drink alone. Make sure someone with you knows you have diabetes and can spot the signs of a blood sugar low (which can look a lot like being drunk).
- Wear a medical ID. If a severe blood sugar low leaves you unable to speak for yourself, a bracelet or card tells others what’s going on and how to help.
