Is marijuana a diabetic's answer to alcohol?
Alcohol and mixed drinks are always a wild card for diabetics, perhaps cannabis can help.
Being diabetic can be tough and you always have to watch your blood sugar. Nowadays there are programs that monitor the levels and trigger warnings if the situation is too bad. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks can be full of sugar, which can harm the body. In addition, alcohol consumption can worsen diabetes-related medical complications such as lipid metabolism disorders, nerve damage and eye diseases. But cannabis, well, that's a different story – and it seems that knowledge about it is catching on. So is marijuana a diabetes answer to alcohol?
RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality of Life
Marijuana use is becoming increasingly common among diabetics. A recent study estimated that 9% of adults with diabetes used cannabis in the past month, an increase of 33.7%, with nearly half (48.9%) of users under the age of 50. Cannabis use is also increasing among boomers (65 and older), many of whom suffer from diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
Photo by Lepro/Getty Images
Alcohol consumption is decreasing as more people use marijuana. Generation Z is avoiding alcohol and consuming more. California sober has become a trend. The AARP has stated that cannabis has medical benefits, but what about using it as a full or partial replacement for alcohol? Cannabis is
For people with diabetes, drinking alcohol can cause low or high blood sugar levels, interfere with taking diabetes medications, and cause other possible problems. The liver releases glucose into your bloodstream as needed to keep blood sugar levels at normal levels. The liver releases glucose into the bloodstream, helping to maintain blood sugar levels at normal levels. When you drink alcohol, your liver has to break down the alcohol. As the liver processes alcohol, it stops releasing glucose. This can cause blood sugar levels to drop quickly, which poses a risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
RELATED: Biden administration intervenes in cannabis industry
While overindulgence is never good, moderate vaping can avoid the sugar and carbohydrate intake that comes from alcohol and especially cocktails. Microdosing has also become popular.
Two important notes: More research needs to be done on dosage and use. Additionally, cannabis may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in people with type 1 diabetes. Research showed that this was primarily due to poorer diabetes management, including increased intake of carbohydrate-rich foods and forgetting to take medication.
Post a comment: