Alcohol and Dysglycemia

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've been doing a literature review regarding the Glycemic Index, Glycemic

Load and Dysglycemia. I came across the subject of alcohol and came somewhat

stuck. Firstly I'm finding it difficult to get GI/GL values of alcoholic drinks

(whether you rate the GI/GL or not). Theoretically, its seems this iscso

because there is little Carbohydrate in the Alcohol thus impossible to give it a

proper GI. There are also theories that must sugars in alcoholic drinks are

converted into alcohol?

There is much talk about Alcohol causeing HYPO glycemia, because it causes

the Liver to take alot of Glucose from the blood (Particularily on an empty

stomach) but I can't find anything really concrete on the yet. In fact I've

found a literature review which suggests moderate alcohol intake can reduce the

rish of contracting Diabetes, shown below.

http://www.aim-digest.com/gateway/pages/diabetes/articles/holmgren.htm

G.P's in Britain anyway seem to be warying of giving Alcohol intake advice for

Diabetics but it seems the Unit guidelines for Diabetes are no different from

the normal population.

My queries are thus, have any of you any opinions, or pointers towards

alcohol, alcoholic drinks and Blood sugar control in general, and the mechanisms

for whatever happens? How exactly does Alcohol affect blood sugar? Would be

happy to hear all sides and opinions or any research I've missed.

Thanks for your time, and thanks for all the great posts.

McCambridge

London UK

Physiologist