The Impacts of Alcohol Consumption on Glucose Metabolism.

Jang,  Jung Eun; Koh,  Eun Hee

doi:2012.13.2.81

J Korean Diabetes > Volume 13(2); 2012 > Article

Focused Issue

The Journal of Korean Diabetes 2012;13(2):81-84.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2012.13.2.81 Published online June 30, 2012.

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The Impacts of Alcohol Consumption on Glucose Metabolism.

Jung Eun Jang, Eun Hee Koh

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ehk@amc.seoul.kr

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.

Key Words: Alcohols, Carbohydrate metabolism, Diabetes mellitus