Alcohol consumption and diabetes

Relations between alcohol use and diabetes are controversial. A heavy or continuous alcohol intake increases the risk of hypoglycemia and, more unlikely, of alcoholic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis. It is also associated with hypertriglycediema, insulinoresistance and an increase of the severity of diabetic neuropathy. However, recent studies have shown that moderate alcohol intake is related to an improvement in cardiovascular risk, particularly in those patients being at higher risk such as diabetic patients. Morover moderate and regular alcohol consumption is associated with a reduction of the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. While moderate and per prandial alcohol intake has little effects on post prandial glycemic excursions, alcohol use (one to three drinks per day) may be tolerable in diabetic patients.