Most health experts talk endlessly about drinking enough water but many diabetics may not realize that
drinking more water is especially important for them.
People just aren’t drinking enough water. Around 75 percent of Americans are what doctors and scientists call “perpetually dehydrated.”
Diabetes needs water more than average, healthy people because dehydration negatively affects blood sugars.
The Effects of Dehydration
A lack of water means the glucose, or sugar, in your bloodstream becomes thicker and that raises sugar levels.
Water flushes out everything and thins out sugars. You don’t have to become severely dehydrated either for blood sugars to go up. Mild dehydration can raise sugar levels 50 to 100 mg/dL.
In fact, the only way you can lower a high blood sugar content in Type 2 diabetics is to drink water. Insulin is typically given for those with Type 1 but water can also be effective.
Water Substitutes For Other Drinks
Drinking more water will keep diabetics from drinking other products they shouldn’t like sugary drinks. You may crave a soda but staying hydrated will temper those cravings.
How Much Water Should Diabetics Drink?
There isn’t a specific amount a diabetic should drink but the general rule is they should drink at least the
recommended amount of eight glasses a day. You shouldn’t force yourself to drink it.
A better plan is to have water available for when you are thirsty. You should take some small sips hourly even if you aren’t thirsty to stay hydrated.
The Japanese have a healthy tradition to drink a glass of water first in the morning, even before drinking tea or coffee.
It makes sense because your body has gone without water for at least eight hours and is the most dehydrated in the morning.
That is also when diabetics hit their highest blood sugar levels.
Final Thoughts
Drinking more water is something that’s easy and safe, so diabetics should focus on hydrating more. Doing so will help control your blood sugar.
