{"id":3131,"date":"2023-07-31T01:53:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T14:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/2023\/07\/31\/alcoholanddiabetes\/"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:00:23","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T23:00:23","slug":"alcoholanddiabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/alcoholanddiabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcohol and diabetes: understanding the risks and effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alcohol and diabetes have a complex relationship.  However, if you\u2019re living with diabetes or pre-diabetes excessive alcohol consumption is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> a good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll look at how alcohol and diabetes interact, and we\u2019ll give tips about how you can have a drink more safely. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is diabetes?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy range. This is because the body can\u2019t create enough insulin (the hormone that helps to regulate blood glucose), can\u2019t use the insulin that it does make, or both. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, serious long-term health issues can occur, such as heart disease and kidney damage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three main types of diabetes, <\/span>type 1<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>type 2<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prevalence of diabetes is a cause for concern\u2014Diabetes Australia has referred to it as \u2018the biggest challenge confronting Australia\u2019s health system\u2019. Almost 1.5 million Australians are living with one of the types of diabetes, and one person is diagnosed with the condition every five minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is excessive alcohol consumption a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but it contributes to the development of other causal factors such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure and extra weight, particularly around the waist. <\/span>It can also increase total cholesterol, LDL (\u2018bad\u2019 cholesterol) and triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood).<\/span><\/a>  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effect of excessive alcohol on blood glucose management can be dangerous to people who are living with diabetes and pre-diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-diabetes: what it is, risk factors and warning signs<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pre-diabetes is a condition<\/span><\/a> where a person\u2019s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.  Pre-diabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the good news is that sustainable healthy habits can help to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>The exact cause of pre-diabetes is unknown, but its risk factors are similar to those for type 2 diabetes. They can be split into two groups, modifiable (they can be changed) and non-modifiable (can\u2019t be changed).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modifiable risk factors include your weight, your diet and the amount of exercise you do. The non-modifiables are things such as your age, ethnicity and your family medical history. A more detailed list of the risk factors can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-diabetes often has no warning signs or symptoms. However, hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose), which leads to pre-diabetes, does. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n