The Impacts of Alcohol Consumption on Glucose Metabolism.
- Author:
Jung Eun JANG
1
;
Eun Hee KOH
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Alcohols; Carbohydrate metabolism; Diabetes mellitus
- MeSH: 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
- From:Journal of Korean Diabetes 2012;13(2):81-84
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- 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.
