How does alcohol affect HbA1c?

David Wiss MS RDN describes the relationship between alcohol and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) from a biospsychosocial perspective. Alcohol lowers HbA1c levels significantly and many researchers have concluded that alcohol is protective against T2DM. Sounds strange doesn’t it? What are the mechanisms? Is it the alcohol itself or is it people who drink alcohol? Are group differences in this relationship due to social or biological factors? Until more research is done, we have more questions than answers. Find out what we do know here and next time someone asks “does alcohol affect HbA1c?” you will be ready to chime in!

Nutrition in Recovery is a group practice of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and other health professionals who specialize in the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, body image, mental health, as well as general wellness.

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Does Alcohol Affect HbA1c?

David became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in 2013 and founded Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice of RDNs specializing in treating eating and substance use disorders. In 2017, David received the “Excellence in Practice” award at the National Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. The California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics awarded him the “Emerging Dietetic Leader Award” in 2020. He earned his Ph.D. from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health in the Community Health Sciences department (with a minor in Health Psychology) by investigating the links between adverse childhood experiences and various mental health outcomes among socially disadvantaged men. His treatment philosophy is based on a biopsychosocial model which incorporates an understanding of biological mechanisms, psychological underpinnings, and contextual factors that integrate the social determinants of health. Wise Mind Nutrition's website offers a fully online interactive treatment program in Spring 2023.

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