Can Alcoholism Cause Diabetes?
- According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking alcohol excessively can lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can damage the pancreas, so it is no longer able to secrete adequate amounts of insulin to control blood sugar. This can cause diabetes to develop.
- Alcohol consumption may also lead to glucose intolerance and eventually lead to diabetes.
- Excessive drinking may cause the body to stop responding appropriately to insulin. Over time, this can cause diabetes to develop.
- Drinking alcohol excessively can increase the secretion of hormones that raise blood sugar levels.
- Being obese puts individuals at a greater risk of developing diabetes. Drinking excessive high-calorie alcoholic drinks may lead to obesity and increase this risk.