Diabetes is a serious, life-long condition that causes blood sugar levels to become too high.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, although it is not known exactly what causes this.
On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is usually triggered by lifestyle factors such as being overweight or not exercising enough, although it can be genetic.
It occurs when the body does not create enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly.
Either way, diabetics have to be careful about what they eat and drink to avoid causing their blood sugar levels to fluctuate too much.
Alcohol is a popular drink linked to various health issues.
However, experts have said it can be enjoyed “in moderation” if you have diabetes.
Personal trainers from Ultimate Performance told Express.co.uk: “One of the main things to remember about alcohol is that it has no nutritional value.
“As a result, when you drink, your body has to burn the calories from alcohol before it can tap into energy from food, meaning that fat storage becomes much more likely.
“At seven calories per gram, alcohol can also significantly increase your daily calorie intake.
“Alcohol also temporarily lowers testosterone in men and oestrogen in women, thereby decreasing insulin sensitivity.
“While it is possible to diet and incorporate alcohol in moderation, it’s important to bear in mind that, beyond its inherent caloric content, alcohol lowers your inhibitions around food, increasing your likelihood of overeating.
“However, once you achieve a healthy body composition, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy alcohol in moderation as part of a balanced diet.”
Diabetes UK advised the same.
It says: “Alcohol and diabetes can be a tricky subject. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, for some people, having a few drinks at home or in the pub is part of everyday life. “And having diabetes shouldn’t get in the way of this unless this has been advised on medical grounds.
“But when you have diabetes, it’s a bit more complicated. You might want to know whether it’s safe to drink alcohol with diabetes, and how much is OK.
“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 [where blood sugar levels become too low], 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.”
What to do if you have been drinking
If you have been drinking there are steps you can take to minimise the impact on your body.
“If you end up having one too many, drinking a pint of water before you go to bed will help keep you hydrated,” Diabetes UK says.
“If you’re lucky, it may also help prevent a hangover in the morning. If you do wake up with a hangover, it’ll still help to drink plenty of water.
“And always have breakfast – it will help you manage your blood sugar. If you can’t face food or you’ve been sick, drink as many fluids as you can, including some sugary (non-diet) drinks if your blood sugar levels are low.
“If you’ve got a blood sugar metre at home, check your levels regularly the next day.
“The symptoms of having a hypo are similar to feelings of a hangover, so you need to know if you’re having one. No matter how awful you feel, you need to treat a hypo straight away. Don’t ignore it.
“If you take insulin, you might need to change your dose depending on what your levels are. Talk to your healthcare team about what you should be doing.”
According to the NHS, men and women should drink no more than 14 alcohol units a week.
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