J Korean Diabetes.  2012 Jun;13(2):81-84. 10.4093/jkd.2012.13.2.81.

The Impacts of Alcohol Consumption on Glucose Metabolism

• Jang JE
• Koh EH

• KMID: 2059864
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2012.13.2.81

Abstract

The relationship between alcohol consumption and carbohydrate metabolism is complex and is not fully understood. Alcohol not only increases oxidative stress during metabolism, but also inhibits both gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in liver. Thus, acute alcohol intake can lead to hypoglycemia, particularly when glycogen stores are depleted or when alcohol is taken without meals. In addition, carbohydrate-rich food taken together with alcohol exaggerates insulin secretion and can cause reactive hypoglycemia about 2 to 3 hours after the meal. It is well established that mild to moderate alcohol consumption (3 drinks/day) is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality through improvements in insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and blood pressure. These beneficial effects of alcohol may also be responsible for a decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with T2DM. However, excessive alcohol consumption causes higher insulin resistance and increases the risk of T2DM, and even reverses the favorable effects of moderate alcohol intake on CHD.

Keyword

Alcohols; Carbohydrate metabolism; Diabetes mellitus

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking
Alcohols
Blood Pressure
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Coronary Disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Gluconeogenesis
Glucose
Glycogen
Glycogenolysis
Humans
Hypoglycemia
Incidence
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Liver
Meals
Oxidative Stress
Alcohols
Glucose
Glycogen
Insulin