What effect does alcohol have on blood sugar?

Alcoholic beverages: most commonly cause blood sugar to go up high quickly and then cause it to drop abruptly. This can make a person feel very sick and cause vomiting. This is less likely to occur if an alcoholic beverage is consumed along with a meal. The effect of alcohol on blood sugar may vary a great deal from one person to another and from one time to another in the same person.

In the short run: alcohol consumption may lower blood sugar. It increases insulin secretion leading to lowered blood sugar. This is worse if drinking on an empty stomach. In the longer term, it depends on what form of alcohol you drink. Though it contains no carbs, hard liquor is high in calories and may lead to weight gain and high blood sugars. Wine and beer, containing carbs, may raise blood sugar.

Raises sugars: Moderate amount of alcohol causes blood sugars to rise while excess alcohol can cause sugars levels to drop sometimes even to dangerous levels especially in people who have type 1 diabetes. http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/drinking-alcohol?ecd=

Likely pushes it up: RTDs (ready to drink) such a bourbon & cola, vodka & lemonade are extremely high in sugar and will raise your blood sugar levels dramatically. Cider is also considered high in glucose. Wine and beer cause less of a spike in sugar levels but still contain a lot of calories. Alcohol in excess will prevent diabetic medications from working so will make blood glucose go up. http://www.alcohol.org.nz

Alcohol: Long term use can damage your liver and pancreas leading to diabetes. can make diabetes worse if you already have it.