Drinking alcohol can raise, lower, or have a neutral effect on your glucose. It depends on what type of alcohol you're drinking, what it's mixed with, and if you're also consuming a carb-containing meal at the same time. So, the net effect on your glucose can be delayed and can vary by beverage.
Your glucose levels might be lower because:
- Pure alcohol lowers glucose as the liver prioritizes metabolizing the ethanol over glucose production.
- Alcoholic drinks containing low or no sugars or carbohydrates may lower glucose: gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum; red, white, or rose wines; light beers; hard seltzers; and dry champagne or prosecco.
Your glucose levels might be higher because:
- Sugar-laden mixers, carbs and sugars naturally found in certain drinks (e.g., beer, sweet wine) raise glucose.
References:
1. Brand-Miller JC, Fatema K, Middlemiss C, Bare M, Liu V, Atkinson F, Petocz P. Effect of alcoholic beverages on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in lean, young, healthy adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1545-51. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.6.1545. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Sep;86(3):808. Fatima, Kaniz [corrected to Fatema, Kaniz]. PMID: 17556691.