The effect of different beers on blood glucose concentrations in insulin‐dependent diabetes

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Abstract
Changes in blood glucose concentrations following consumption of four different beers (carbohydrate content 1.4‐12.1g per half pint; alcohol concentration 3.3‐5.5% v/v) were examined in seven insulin‐dependent men (age 21‐41 years; duration of diabetes 5‐27 years), who were studied on four evenings, on each occasion drinking a different beer but eating an identical meal. Blood samples were taken before drinking began, at half to one hour intervals during the evening and before breakfast the next morning. The peak increment in blood glucose concentration was linearly related to the carbohydrate content of the beer (r = 0.95,p<0.01), though there were no statistically significant differences between individual beers. Pre‐breakfast blood glucose concentrations of <3.5 mmol/l occurred on six out of 14 occasions after the two low carbohydrate beers but on only two out of 14 occasions after the two higher carbohydrate beers (p=0.09). If patients follow the advice given by the BDA on alcohol consumption we suggest that they choose beers and lagers with a carbohydrate content of 3‐7g per half pint (275 ml) and an alcohol concentration equal to or less than five per cent.

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