Can Alcohol Cause Type 2 Diabetes?

When Virta member Richard gained weight several years ago, he attributed it to the COVID-19 pandemic and his love of home-brewed beer. Then, when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he naturally began to wonder if there was a link between type 2 diabetes and drinking alcohol. 

In this article, we’ll answer the question: does alcohol cause type 2 diabetes?, While drinking too much alcohol doesn’t directly cause type 2 diabetes, it can increase your chances of developing the disease. But how much is too much?

Can alcohol cause diabetes?

Calories from alcohol are stored in the liver as fat, and too much fat in the liver increases insulin resistance. Over time, higher and higher insulin levels are needed to regulate blood sugar, eventually reaching the point where blood sugar remains elevated despite high insulin levels. This can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Although alcohol itself contains very little carbohydrate, it’s often consumed with high sugar mixers or as fermented drinks like beer and wine. The high intake of sugar and carbohydrates from excess consumption of alcoholic beverages can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, similar to any other sugary, high-carb food. 

In addition, research suggests that heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in middle aged results.  Heavy alcohol use means:

• Five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men.
• Four or more drinks per day or eight or more drinks per week for women.

Drinking too much alcohol can also compromise how well your pancreas and liver function. When these organs don’t work like they should, your body may have a harder time controlling blood sugar in your body. This can, in turn, lead to developing type 2 diabetes. . 

Does quitting alcohol reverse diabetes?

If you quit drinking alcohol, can you reverse diabetes? While quitting alcohol alone will not likely reverse your diabetes, reducing your alcohol intake is a great way to start the process. 

The best way to reverse type 2 diabetes includes:

• Reducing your intake of carbohydrates, like the nutrition plan recommended by Virta.
• Losing weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Moving your body each day, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity per week.

Cutting back on or eliminating alcohol from your lifestyle can make it easier to follow a healthy diet, move more and have more energy to reach your goals.

Safer tips for the occasional drink

While it’s best not to drink alcohol at all if you have type 2 diabetes, if you choose to drink occasionally and in moderation, here are some tips for doing so safely:

• Check with your medical provider to ensure it’s safe for you to drink alcohol.
• Avoid sweetened or sugary cocktails, sweet wines, beer, or sweetened mixers.
• Have no more than one to two drinks in one sitting
• Watch your serving sizes: One serving of alcohol is equal to 1.5 ounces of liquor, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Sip sparkling water with lime or lemon as an alternative to alcohol or sweetened mocktails.
• Never drink on an empty stomach.

The Takeaway

Alcohol can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, and cutting out alcohol is a great way to begin the process of reversing that diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and want to live a healthier lifestyle, Virta Health may be able to help. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.