In this article, you will learn about the health benefits of beer for diabetes. Many people with diabetes might ask the question ‘is beer bad for diabetics?’ or ‘is beer good for diabetics?’. Read on to know the answers to these questions.
Contents:
Beer Nutritional Profile
If you want to find the answers to the above questions, you have to know the glycemic index of beer. Glycemic index or GI is the ability of a food to increase the sugar levels in the blood. Sugar content in beer is high with a GI of around 100.
Although the sugar content is high, the nutritional contents make beer good for diabetics, if consumed in moderation.
- Protein 1.6 grams
- Carbohydrate 12.6 grams
- Fat 0.0 grams
- Cholesterol 0.0
- Calcium 14 milligrams
- Magnesium 21 grams
- Phosphorous 50 grams
- Potassium 96 milligrams
- Sodium 14 milligrams
- Niacin 2 milligrams
- Folate 21 mcg
Beer Advantages for Diabetes
- Beer is light in carbohydrates and also lower in alcohol content. Therefore, beer for diabetic patients is not harmful.
- Beer and diabetes type 2 are interlinked. Beer consumption of 24g per day can lower the risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 30%.
- Moderate beer consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by improving glycemic control. But it is advisable to drink sugar-free alcohol for diabetes.
How to Consume Beer
Beer for diabetics is good, but only when consumed in moderation. A pint of beer is good for a diabetic person, when it is balanced out with low carbohydrate snacks.
Beer is high in sugar, and therefore diabetic patients should not consume beer on an empty stomach. People with type 2 diabetes should not mix high-calorie snacks with beer because it can increase the toxic lead.
Beer Overconsumption Risks
- Overconsumption of beer can lead to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar because the alcohol prevents the liver from producing glucose.
- Sugar spike from overconsumption can lead to high blood pressure and cause cardiac arrest.
Other Health Benefits of Beer
- Beer can help in protecting the heart.
- Beer can keep the kidney healthy because it contains phytochemicals.
- Beer strengthens the bone because it is high in silicon.
- Beer lowers bad cholesterol because it is rich in soluble fiber.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Beer has a high glycemic index and therefore one glass a day is the maximum acceptable amount for patients with well managed diabetes.
- The nutritional benefit of beer is minimal, and hence it is best to limit it’s intake, if possible.
- If you are choosing to consume beer, make sure to track your vitals regularly, so that your doctor can be alerted incase of any problems. You can do this on Phable and share it in real time with your doctor.
Friendly Asked Questions
Beer is not beneficial for diabetes, but rather can be considered a safe drink, if consumed in moderation. For those who have well managed diabetes, having 1 glass of beer in a day will not affect them negatively. But beer does have a high glycemic index of 100, which can potentially spike blood glucose levels.
Yes, a diabetic person can drink beer, but only if their diabetes is generally controlled, and even then, this should be limited to a maximum of 1 or 2 pints in a week.
Beer doesn’t have a large amount of sugar, and the amount may vary depending on the type of beer you go for. But it does have a high glycemic index, which can spike sugar levels within the body.
Overconsumption of beer in diabetes can lead to a spike in sugar levels.
Drinking beer in moderation does not cause diabetes.
Overconsumption of beer in type 2 diabetes can cause toxic overload.
A diabetic person can drink wine, red wine, gin, rum, and vodka.
Yes, beer makes you fat because it is high in calories.