Type 2 diabetes: The best drink to consume to help lower blood sugar
Hyperglycemia occurs when a person with diabetes has too much sugar in their bloodstream. The underlying cause of hyperglycemia is due to a loss of insulin producing cells in the pancreas or when the body develops resistance to insulin. The condition can become dangerous when blood glucose levels stay high for extended periods of time which could lead to the development of long-term complications. Eating the right kinds of food to help stabilise blood sugar levels is well known but what about certain drinks.
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Drinking enough water throughout the day is one of the best things a type 2 diabetic can do.
It helps rehydrate the blood when the body tries to remove excess glucose through urine.
If a person is not drinking water, the body will draw on other sources of available water in the body such as saliva and tears.
If there is not enough water, glucose may not be passed out of the urine which leads to further dehydration.
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Diabetes insipidus is a rare form of diabetes that is not related to blood sugar-related diabetes mellitus but does share some of its signs and symptoms said Diabetes.co.uk.
The website continued: “Diabetes insipidus is simply excessive urination and complications thereof, caused by an antidiuretic hormone called vasopressin.
“Diabetes insipidus leads to frequent urination, and this is the most common and clear symptom.
“A secondary symptom is increased thirst, as a result of passing so much water and if this is not met, then dehydration can occur which can lead to cracked skin, fatigue, confusion, dizziness and unconsciousness.”
Drinks and diabetes
There are a variety of factors which contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes but one of the most common is consuming a large amount of calories throughout the day, especially from added sugars – which are found in many foods and, notably, in beverages.
Diabetics are strongly advised to monitor their calorie intake which is often overlooked by the drinks consumed.
Diabetics are recommended to minimise their calories and opting for pure, plain water which contains zero calories is always the best option.
Water does not raise a person’s blood sugar levels and studies have shown that when a diabetic has too high a blood glucose level, drinking water enables more glucose to be flushed out of the bloodstream.
Experts agree that water should be the main source of hydration for type 2 diabetes.
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If you’re consistently dehydrated on a daily basis, you might even be compensating with higher insulin levels than you’d need if your body was getting the water it needed, said Diabetes Strong.
The health site added: “It’s the simple issue of severe dehydration causing the glucose in your bloodstream to become extremely concentrated, and then quickly diluting it with plenty of fluids.
“Water actually does far more for our bodies than we realise.
“Water aids digestion, lubricates joints, helps flush waste products and performs a host of other important tasks in our body.”
Diabetes.co.uk said on their website: “As water contains no carbohydrates or calories, it is the perfect drink for people with diabetes.
“Studies have also shown that drinking water could help control blood glucose levels.
“The bodies of people with diabetes require more fluid when blood glucose levels are high.
“This can lead to the kidneys attempting to excrete excess sugar through urine.
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