Alcohol

[Defren]

I know some of you may roll your eyes at this - but... I have been reading here that some clear spirits, gin, vodka etc can help lower BG in moderate levels. So! I am going to do a test. I have been tee total for many, many years, but am going to start having a small gin and slimline tonic each day to see what it does for me.

I would be interested to see other peoples experiences with alcohol lowering BG. Perhaps we can do a very unscientific study on the subject :lol:

 

[Topsec]

We've just had a gin and slimline :wink:

Got to say that slimline tonic ain't like the fat stuff but at least it was gin!!

I have no advice on whether it lowers BG, some people say it does, others haven't noticed, but it is fun trying!!

I'm not a big drinker, nor is Mr TS so one every now and then is nice. Unfortunately two of his favour tire tipples; Magners Cider and Crabbies Alco Ginger Beer are now off limits

 

[Defren]

We've just had a gin and slimline :wink:

Got to say that slimline tonic ain't like the fat stuff but at least it was gin!!

I have no advice on whether it lowers BG, some people say it does, others haven't noticed, but it is fun trying!!

I'm not a big drinker, nor is Mr TS so one every now and then is nice. Unfortunately two of his favour tire tipples; Magners Cider and Crabbies Alco Ginger Beer are now off limits

I think I would prefer fish and chips as fun :lol: but what the hell. One drink in the name of science per day. No, your right, it will be fun. Did I say 'small' drink per day? :mrgreen:

 

[Paul1976]

In my experience it does!! My sugars are ridiculous each day BUT If I have a couple of scotches OR Gin OR Vodkas and a sugarfree mixer in the evening-My BG does drop about 3mmol or so.
However,I did find cider or real Ale spiked me a lot so I avoid now(which is a shame because I used to be a Real Ale Pub fan!sob)

 

[Defren]

In my experience it does!! My sugars are ridiculous each day BUT If I have a couple of scotches OR Gin OR Vodkas and a sugarfree mixer in the evening-My BG does drop about 3mmol or so.
However,I did find cider or real Ale spiked me a lot so I avoid now(which is a shame because I used to be a Real Ale Pub fan!sob)

That's sad. It is hard when we have to give up something we like. I was, as I mentioned tee total and have been for years. Your unscientific research :lol: is giving me a little hope though. You did say a couple right? :lol:

 

[Paul1976]

Oh God yes!! :lol:
No Paul Gascoigne/Oliver Reed type amounts!!

 

[Anonymous]

I`m not joining you on this one. One of my many medications can damage the liver, mine is in fine fettle, and I want to keep it that way :wink:

 

[Paul1976]

Absolutely!! :wink:

 

[Defren]

Oh God yes!! :lol:
No Paul Gascoigne/Oliver Reed type amounts!!

According to my darling daughters, if I were to sniff a wine gum I would fall over, I think two is more than enough for me :lol:

 

[Defren]

I`m not joining you on this one. One of my many medications can damage the liver, mine is in fine fettle, and I want to keep it that way :wink:

A very wise move. I shall be staying well within guidelines, and this is just another 'thing' to try, to help keep my BG down. If it doesn't work, it won't be a miss, but have to give it a whirl.

 

[Paul1976]

Looking forward to seeing your pre bedtime reading after the 'Mothers Ruin' Erm,i mean Gin and tonic experiment! :thumbup:

 

[Defren]

Looking forward to seeing your pre bedtime reading after the 'Mothers Ruin' Erm,i mean Gin and tonic experiment! :thumbup:

You will have to wait until tomorrow as that is when my grocery delivery and the gin will be delivered. I am extremely curious to see if this work. I will post the results.

 

[Anonymous]

I seem to have seen a few people saying it lowers it. I will be interested to see if it does. I would think you will be a cheap date with the small amount of food you are eating right now!

 

[Grazer]

I can confirm absolutely that it will, being as this is my specialist subject! Any spirits, clear or not, have zero carbs as all the sugar has been brewed out to make the alcohol. The liver processes things in order of importance. It sees alcohol as a toxin, and can't process carbs into glucose while it's getting rid of alcohol. This is not a reason to over-indulge of course, and using it just to lower BGs probably isn't the thing to do - no good getting nice low BGs and cirrhosis of the liver! But as mum said, a little of what you like is good for you. Make sure it doesn't clash with any meds you're on. Metformin is ok. The packets have warnings on alcohol, because there is a very rare reaction you can get if your liver is already damaged and you drink a great deal of alcohol. Your couple of G&T's will be fine. If I am going to have a drink, like on a friday night for example, i'll use that as a night when I have one of my more carby meals to make use of it! Testing shows me it's best to have your couple of drinks before eating rather than after, although your BG will go down either way.
Enjoy!

 

[MaryJ]

Testing shows me it's best to have your couple of drinks before eating rather than after, although your BG will go down either way. Enjoy!

Grazer - you beauty, certainly is your specialist subject, I wouldn't have thought of that :lol:

How about before, during and after :crazy:

Mary x

 

[Defren]

I can confirm absolutely that it will, being as this is my specialist subject! Any spirits, clear or not, have zero carbs as all the sugar has been brewed out to make the alcohol. The liver processes things in order of importance. It sees alcohol as a toxin, and can't process carbs into glucose while it's getting rid of alcohol. This is not a reason to over-indulge of course, and using it just to lower BGs probably isn't the thing to do - no good getting nice low BGs and cirrhosis of the liver! But as mum said, a little of what you like is good for you. Make sure it doesn't clash with any meds you're on. Metformin is ok. The packets have warnings on alcohol, because there is a very rare reaction you can get if your liver is already damaged and you drink a great deal of alcohol. Your couple of G&T's will be fine. If I am going to have a drink, like on a friday night for example, i'll use that as a night when I have one of my more carby meals to make use of it! Testing shows me it's best to have your couple of drinks before eating rather than after, although your BG will go down either way.
Enjoy!

Thank you so much for this Grazer. I truly thought the posters who are much more informed than I would have rolled their eyes. I will confess, this is purely to keep my BG down. I am not a drinker, not even socially, but my desire for low BG is all consuming. I have no liver problems at all (that I know of) I do have some strong pain medication, but I am certain a couple of glasses will not be too detrimental with them. The other meds, like Metformin do seem to be quite safe. I won't be upping my carbs immediately, but if I get good results, may try. I have learned very quickly diabetes is a learning condition, and only by trying and testing can I hope to find a real path, my path to a healthy life with diabetes and not live my life as a diabetic.

 

[Grazer]

Testing shows me it's best to have your couple of drinks before eating rather than after, although your BG will go down either way. Enjoy!

Grazer - you beauty, certainly is your specialist subject, I wouldn't have thought of that :lol:

How about before, during and after :crazy:

Mary x

Whoa girl! Steady down! Wine is ok too by the way. Dry red best, but white is fine. Carb ratings vary, but most suggest a large glass has about 3 gram carbs. However, the BG lowering effect far outweighs the carbs. A bottle of Rioja and I can handle a big spaghetti Bol! In general terms, the stronger the alcohol the less carbs. Obviously have to use diet mixers. I do genuinely have concerns about people drinking just to manage BGs though. 'Spose there's not much difference in end result compared to me drinking because I like it, but alcohol just for medication needs thinking about. Need to remember the weight issues as well.

 

[MaryJ]

lol to be honest I haven't changed my drinking habbits since diagnosis, (that tells you nowt )

I hadn't conciously thought to increase my carbs when I do have a wine or 2 but it will explain how on a Saturday night I can have 1/2 an indian curry, 1/3 rd of a tray of rice, a couple of chips and a poppadum and not spike (although I believe the fat content of the meal will also have something to do with it)

I can't normally have more than 1 carb element to a meal.

It's nice to know if i wanted to I can up the pasta with my spog bog with a nice Shiraz to counter it.

 

[Defren]

Testing shows me it's best to have your couple of drinks before eating rather than after, although your BG will go down either way. Enjoy!

Grazer - you beauty, certainly is your specialist subject, I wouldn't have thought of that :lol:

How about before, during and after :crazy:

Mary x

Whoa girl! Steady down! Wine is ok too by the way. Dry red best, but white is fine. Carb ratings vary, but most suggest a large glass has about 3 gram carbs. However, the BG lowering effect far outweighs the carbs. A bottle of Rioja and I can handle a big spaghetti Bol! In general terms, the stronger the alcohol the less carbs. Obviously have to use diet mixers. I do genuinely have concerns about people drinking just to manage BGs though. 'Spose there's not much difference in end result compared to me drinking because I like it, but alcohol just for medication needs thinking about. Need to remember the weight issues as well.

I must add here, my gin will be exceptionally diluted :lol: I can't abide any alcohol in any strength. In my younger days, friends used to ask why I wasted money on the spirit as it would have been little different to the mixer alone

 

[chocoholicnomore]

A bacardi and diet coke does it for me It definitely lowers my BG levels. (Tried and tested)

However, white wine spikes me-which is unfortunate as I prefer white to red