Alcoholism
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to lose more water. So, in addition to making a person urinate more often, alcohol can cause the body to lose magnesium through urination.
From one extreme (complete abstinence) to the other (drunkenness), alcohol is associated with lowered magnesium levels in the blood. This is primarily because alcohol raises insulin levels, which inhibits the body’s ability to absorb magnesium from food sources and supplements.
Research suggests that as little as one drink per day increases the risk for deficiency significantly. Still, even moderate drinkers with no history of alcoholism may be at risk for having low levels of this vital mineral in their bodies.
