Drinking alcohol can influence your blood sugar levels, interact with diabetes medications, and contribute to complications. However, consuming a moderate amount of certain types of alcohol, such as red wine, may be safer.
If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol can be safe as long as you choose the right types of drinks and consider alcohol’s effects on your blood sugar levels.
Diabetes results in reduced production or function of insulin — the hormone that helps control your blood sugar levels — so managing blood sugar is crucial.
Moreover, alcohol consumption can either raise or lower your blood sugar levels excessively, depending on the drink and whether you have eaten recently.
Studies indicate that moderate alcohol intake — particularly red wine — is associated with health benefits in people with diabetes. Nonetheless, heavy drinking may interfere with some medications and heighten the risk of diabetes-related complications.
The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans define moderate alcohol intake as up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.
Here’s what one standard drink looks like:
Beer
Generally speaking, low-carb beers may have up to 37% fewer calories and 80% fewer carbs than regular beers. Here are some popular low-carb beer options:
Miller Lite
Miller Lite contains only 3.2 grams of carbohydrates in a standard 12-ounce (360-mL) can or bottle, compared with 12 grams for the same serving in regular Miller beers. According to online consumer reviews, it has a great aroma and flavour, making it a popular choice during hot summer months.
Coors Light
Coors Light, another favourite American beer, is suitable for people with diabetes. It provides 5 grams of carbs per 12-ounce (360-mL) bottle, compared to nearly 12 grams in standard options like Coors Banquet.
Bud Lite
Bud Lite is another low-carb beer, offering fewer than 5 grams of carbs per serving. With 4.6 grams of carbs per 12-ounce (360-mL) serving, it has roughly 50% fewer carbs than a regular Budweiser. Though Bud Lite is known for being slightly sweet, some consumer reviews suggest it tastes a bit bland.
Busch
Busch beers are good alternatives for people with diabetes due to the low carb content in most of the brand’s products, even those not branded as low-carb. A 12-ounce (360-mL) serving of regular Busch contains just 7 grams of carbs, while Busch Ice and Busch Light provide 4.2 and 3.2 grams, respectively.
Wine
Moderate wine intake in people with diabetes is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. Here are two types of wine with low carb counts:
Red Wine
Among all types of wine, red wine is associated with the most health benefits — both for people with diabetes and for the general population — due to its high antioxidant content.
White Wine
White wines are often seen as high-sugar drinks, yet their carb content can be virtually the same as that of red wines.
Distilled Spirits
Distilled spirits or hard liquors contain few to no carbs. However, you should be aware of the potential for hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) when consuming them. This can happen because your liver can’t maintain basal blood sugar levels while metabolising alcohol, potentially leading to excessively low blood sugar, especially if you drink on an empty stomach.
Gin, Rum, Vodka, or Whiskey
These liquors contain 0 grams of carbs per 1.5-ounce (45-mL) serving. However, the carb content of your drink may vary depending on what you mix the liquor with. Avoid mixing liquor with sugary juices or sugar-containing soda to prevent blood sugar spikes followed by dangerous dips.
Low-Carb Cocktails
If you fancy a cocktail, opt for low-sugar options.
Martini
A martini, made by mixing gin or vodka with dry vermouth in a 2-to-1 ratio and garnished with an olive or a twist of lemon peel, contains 0.2 grams of total carbs in a 4-ounce (120-mL) drink. This makes it a good choice for people with diabetes, provided it’s consumed in moderation.
Vodka Soda
If you prefer a flavoured version, choose flavoured sparkling water instead of flavoured vodka, which may contain added syrups.
Bloody Mary
A Bloody Mary, made by mixing vodka and tomato juice with various sauces and spices, typically garnished with a celery stick, has a carb count of 7 grams from the tomato juice. It’s often considered a “healthy” cocktail due to its vegetable content.
Drinks to Avoid
While there are some diabetes-friendly cocktails, traditional cocktails are generally very high in added sugars. Therefore, try to avoid them unless you’re making them yourself. For example, margaritas, piña coladas, and daiquiris can contain 35–44 grams of carbs per 7-ounce (225-mL) serving.
The Bottom Line
This includes light beers, red and white wines, distilled spirits, and low-carb cocktails, as long as you avoid sugary juices or syrups. On the other hand, traditional cocktails, dessert wines, and cream liqueurs tend to have higher sugar counts, which can spike your blood sugar levels.
Regardless of which type of alcoholic drink you choose, remember that it’s not just sugar that interferes with your blood sugar management. The alcohol itself does too. Therefore, drink in moderation and follow the practices outlined above.