Maintaining blood sugar levels is vital for people with diabetes to avoid severe complications affecting various organs like the kidneys, heart, vision, and hearing. The National Institute of Health emphasizes the importance of blood sugar management as chronically high levels can lead to limb and life-threatening issues. A healthy lifestyle, exercise, diet, and medication contribute to managing blood sugar, but hydration plays a crucial role.
Understanding the Link between Dehydration and Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are consistently higher than normal due to insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin utilization. Insulin, a hormone produced by the body, regulates blood sugar by enabling glucose entry into cells for energy and storing excess glucose in the liver as glycogen. In diabetes, faulty insulin mechanisms lead to blood sugar accumulation. While the kidneys reabsorb blood sugar, exceptionally high levels prompt the body to eliminate excess sugar through urination, resulting in dehydration. Dehydration decreases water in the bloodstream, causing higher glucose concentration and blood sugar spikes.
Dehydration And Diabetes: Go hand in hand
Dehydration and diabetes are interlinked and go hand in hand. And to understand the impact of dehydration on diabetes and vice versa, we need to understand the Impact of high blood sugar levels in body and how the body responds to it.
Diabetes is a health condition of blood sugar higher than the normal when the body fails to make enough insulin or when the body is not able to utilize the insulin produced. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels in check by allowing the glucose to enter cells of the body to provide energy and storing excess glucose in the liver in form of glycogen.
The Benefits of Hydration in Managing Blood Sugar Levels
Hydration aids in flushing out toxins through excretion and dilutes excess glucose in the bloodstream, contributing to blood glucose management. Studies show dehydration's association with hyperglycemia, posing risks to individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic Thirst and the Significance of Staying Hydrated
Excessive thirst is an early sign of diabetes, driven by water loss during urination due to high blood sugar levels. Even with water intake, diabetic individuals may feel constantly thirsty and dehydrated as kidneys produce more urine to eliminate excess sugar.
Best Hydration Options for Diabetic Patients
Plain Water: Drinking ample water not only combats dehydration but also helps eliminate excess glucose from the bloodstream. It is the ideal choice for hydration in type 2 diabetes as it contains no sugar or carbs.
The European Food Safety Authority recommends daily water intake averages of:
Women: 1.6 liters (around eight 200ml glasses) per day
Men: 2 liters (around ten 200ml glasses) per day
Tomato Juice: Studies indicate that tomato juice's blood-thinning properties reduce cardiovascular risks in type 2 diabetic patients, a common complication of the condition.
Herbal Teas: Certain herbal teas or extracts low in calories, carbs, and sugar, but high in antioxidant compounds like carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, can assist in diabetes management. Some beneficial teas include green tea, pomegranate, onion and garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne.
Coffee: Research suggests a connection between coffee intake and reduced type 2 diabetes prevalence. Coffee's caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and magnesium content effectively enhance insulin-secreting cell function in the pancreas. Unsweetened coffee is recommended for maximum benefit.
The Importance of Hydration
Proper management is crucial in handling diabetes to prevent severe health complications. Increased thirst and urination are common signs of dehydration, stressing the importance of prompt rehydration to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Left unchecked, dehydration can lead to life-threatening complications, necessitating immediate attention and care. Mild dehydration can be managed by slowly drinking water or clear liquids, while severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention. Staying hydrated is an essential aspect of diabetes management, ensuring overall well-being and mitigating potential complications.
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References-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3220834/
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/34/12/2551/39030/Low-Water-Intake-and-Risk-for-New-Onset
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16960170/
https://diabetesaction.org/medicinal-plants-and-herbs
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-014-3235-7
