Follow the precautions below to help avoid hypoglycemia. If you do not drink alcohol, there is no convincing health reason to start. Avoid drinking alcohol when your blood sugar is low or when your insulin activity is peaking. Do not drink alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach. Be aware that alcohol increases the risk of low blood sugar for up to 12 hours, depending upon the amount of alcohol, medication, food intake, and physical activity.
Some alcoholic beverages contain sugar in addition to the alcohol.
Higher blood sugar may temporarily result when these drinks are consumed, but your risk of low blood sugar later still exists. As with the other alcoholic beverages, these are best taken in combination with a mixed meal or snack, despite their sugar content. A Day Alcohol can be consumed in moderation. The recommendation for men vs. women is not just based on body size. Women have less enzyme activity than men for detoxifying alcohol, and are thus more easily hurt by alcohol excess.