Heavy Drinking Leads to Type 2 Diabetes in Women, Says Study

1. Heavy Drinking Leads to Type 2 Diabetes in Women, Says Study Heavy Drinking Leads to Type 2 Diabetes in Women, Says Study People normally take a break from their mundane routine by relishing alcoholic beverages in parties, celebrations or after a long day’s work. They indulge in drinking because of multifarious reasons. Some gulp down alcohol to loosen up, some drink to cope with stress and some consume it to get lost in reverie. Regardless of the amount of alcohol consumed, a person’s health plays a pivotal role in the way his or her body responds to alcohol. Even when taken in moderation, can lead to adverse health consequences. One of the defining characteristics alcohol is interferes with the blood sugar Therefore, individuals with diabetes particularly at risk from alcoholic with higher content. In addition, alcohol tampers with a person’s hormones that maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Overtime this reduces the efficacy of insulin, thereby leaving the individual susceptible to the onset of diabetes and glucose intolerance. alcohol of it that levels. are beverages sugar Alcohol and elevated blood glucose High alcohol consumption, maybe an outcome of heavy drinking or binge drinking, among adolescents and young adults poses a major threat to the public health. Drinking in this age group has been associated with the major changes in the brain’s structure and functioning. Most importantly, early introduction to alcohol can hardwire substance-abusing behavior among adolescents that persists into their late adulthood. A study led by Dr. Karina Nygren from Umeå University found that high alcohol consumption from the age of 16 leads to higher concentrations of blood glucose in women. High blood glucose levels also known as hyperglycemia leads to the transition to type 2 diabetes. The study that took 27 years in the making was published in the journal BMC Public Health. The study included data from the Northern Swedish Cohort study that began in 1981 with 897 of its participants who filled up a questionnaire on alcohol consumption at ages 16, 18, 21, 30 www.sovarizona.com

2. and 43. When the participants turned 43, their blood samples were taken to assess the blood glucose levels. Alcohol and blood glucose level After examining the respondents’ feedback and blood samples over the 27-year period, it was found that the blood glucose level among women was significantly higher due to heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking. Interestingly, higher blood glucose levels in women were found to be independent of other risk factors, such as body mass index (BMI), hypertension and smoking habit. Surprisingly, men did not display a similar relationship between blood glucose level and drinking. This is despite the fact that some men had higher blood glucose levels and consumed almost three times the amount of alcohol consumed by women. In addition, previous studies that explored the association between alcohol and blood glucose levels suggested that ethanol (alcohol) increases insulin resistance that results in the buildup of glucose in the blood. The study explains the link between heavy alcohol consumption and higher blood glucose levels as well as dangers of developing diabetes in women, but does not identify the reasons behind the differences in results between women and men. However, it provides a sneak peek into the lives of individuals with developed drinking patterns. According to Dr. Nygren, “Our findings show that high alcohol consumption from ages 16 to 43 is associated with higher blood glucose levels in women but not in men. Because higher blood glucose is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, our data suggest that informing people about the risk of high alcohol consumption at a young age could have positive health impacts further down the line.” Drinking alcohol is injurious to health Due to biological and social reasons, women are affected differently by alcohol consumption. In comparison to men, they are more prone to developing dependence on alcohol and eventually an addiction. By resorting to drinking for self-medication purposes, many women may succumb to the repercussions of alcohol consumption. Alcoholism not only endangers their lives, but also affects their reproductive system and the lives of their unborn child. As a leading behavioral health care provider, Sovereign Health of Arizona understands the plight of women who are battling alcohol abuse and are unable to discontinue drinking despite the negative impact of alcohol on their lives. Sovereign Health’s women only rehab in Arizona offers the finest evidence-based treatment for substance addiction and co- occurring disorders. Call us at our 24/7 helpline number 866-598-5661 to know more about our women only rehab facility and comprehensive treatment plans. www.sovarizona.com