Alcohol consumption, even in so-called “no added sugar” beverages, can be harmful for people with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, Dr Austin Okoth, Chief Medical Officer at RFH Healthcare, has warned.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Generation on Friday, Dr Okoth said that many alcoholic drinks still contain high sugar levels, which can worsen diabetes and related health conditions.
“I’ve looked at those assertions, and to be honest, I don’t want to, you know, attack someone’s brand, but no added sugar is not entirely accurate, because there is still high sugar content in alcohol,” Dr Okoth said.
He explained that people with diabetes who rely on these drinks, believing they are safe, risk undermining their efforts to control blood sugar levels.
“If you have diabetes and we are trying to restrict sugar intake, alcohol is not good for you,” he added.
Dr Okoth also highlighted alcohol’s direct impact on blood pressure and heart health.
“When it comes to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, there are those risk factors that we see commonly, and alcohol consumption is one of them. The more alcohol you consume, the more damage we have to our blood vessels and the more damage we have to our hearts,” he said.
He cautioned that what many consider “moderate drinking” can easily escalate over time as the body becomes desensitized to alcohol, increasing the risk of serious complications.
“Just to emphasize that, as much as possible, not taking any alcohol at all is the way to go. It is the most ideal way,” Dr Okoth said, adding that in some cases, a small amount, such as a single glass of wine or beer with meals, may be permissible, but only after professional evaluation on a case-by-case basis.
The warning stressed the importance of cautious alcohol consumption, particularly for individuals managing diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Okoth urged the public to carefully follow medical guidance and avoid relying on marketing claims that may misrepresent health risks.
