Ketones Alcohol

Frequent and excessive alcohol consumption can build large amounts of ketones in the body. Ketones alcohol can lead to big acid amounts. Excessive acid amounts can result in alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA).

Keto and alcohol

During keto diet the body starts using fat as the main source of energy instead of carbs. The liver breaks down the body’s fat into ketones. Ketones are strong acids and when they are present in the body in big amounts, it leads to an acidosis.

Frequent alcohol consumption can also slow down ketosis.

Alcoholic ketoacidosis

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a life threatening condition. AKA is rare unless a person is chronically abusing alcohol.

Heavy drinking can result in malnutrition. Often alcohol becomes the main energy source during abuse and other nutritionally rich foods are undertaken.

Alcohol decreases glucose release by the liver and increases ketones production. Water loss during heavy drinking also increases ketones production. Water loss is often a result of frequent vomiting during alcohol abuse.

All together it results in excessive ketones in the body.

AKA Symptoms:

• Low blood pressure
• Higher breathing and heart rate
• Fruity sweet breath smell
• Tender abdomen
• Mild altered mental state

Treatment of alcoholic ketoacidosis

Treatment of alcoholic ketoacidosis is done in hospital. The main two areas during AKA treatment are: ketosis reversal of ketosis and rehydration. 

• IV magnesium and thiamine
• IV 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline

What alcohol is allowed on keto?

• Vodka, gin, whiskey,  tequila, and rum have no carbs in their pure form
• Above spirits with zero/diet soft drinks 
• Champagne – 1 gram of carbs per glass
• Dry rose wine – 2.9 grams of carbs per glass

Spirits to avoid on keto diet:

1. Cocktails – they contain a lot of sugar and carbs
2. Beer – most of beer brands are high in carbs
3. Sweet wines

The key is moderation in alcohol consumption. Two glasses of dry wine occasionally will not kick you out of the state of ketosis. However, alcohol increases appetite and lowers control levels. While drinking you can easily pick up carb snacks and go over your keto daily carbs limits.

Keto and Beer

Although in general you should avoid drinking beer on a keto diet, if you fancy this particular drink, there are keto-friendly brands of beer.

1. Corona Premier has 2,6 grams of carbs per bottle
2. Miller 64 Extra Light Lager has 2,4 grams of carbs per bottle

These two brands can be easily found in grocery stores.

And yes there is a beer with zero carbs. Bud Light Next.

If you conscious about ketones levels in your body, you can see here normal and dangerous levels:

Result	Recommendations
< 0.6 millimoles per liter	Normal urine ketone level
0.6 – 1.5 millimoles per liter	Higher than normal; another test is recommended in 3 hours
1.6 – 3.0 millimoles per liter	Moderate urine ketone level; it is recommended to call the doctor
> 3.0 millimoles per liter	Very high level; go to the hospital

Ketones can be measured at home. More information about accuracy of different methods you can find here: What Ketones?

If you are a fan of cocktails, the best solution on keto would be to prepare them by yourself at home. This way you can easily control the amount of carbs in the spirits you mix.

Keto mojito cocktail:

• 1.5 fl oz white rum,

•  1 tablespoon of lime juice
• 2 ice cubes,
• carbonated water 6 oz
• keto sweetener
• You can order keto-friendly sweetener online:

Tear mint leaves by hand and put them into a jar with 1 liter of water. Add keto sweetener.

Press mint leaves with a wooden spoon. Add rum, carbonated water and lime juice, mix all together. Add ice cubes, mix and serve.

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