Top 15 Benefits of Drinking Water for Type 2 Diabetes
You’ve probably heard it many times before—stop, get up, and drink some water. Whether you’ve heard the eight glasses a day rule, or people saying you should “drink like a fish,” it’s no secret hydration is important.
And as it turns out, there’s a lot to it—especially for people with type 2 diabetes. You may not realize it, but simply upping your water intake each day can have some amazing benefits if you’re diabetic.
Let’s take a look at why drinking water is so good for type 2 diabetes. We’ll also give you some ideas for other beverages that can help to keep you feeling your best.
Water is Important For Everyone
Whether you have type 2 diabetes or not, chances are, you should probably be drinking a little more water. Water is essential to each and every cell and organ in the body. It helps to get rid of waste, maintain a steady temperature, and protect the joints and organs in the body.
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine claim that men should aim to drink 15.5 cups of fluids, while women should drink 11.5 cups. As this includes other fluids, the actual recommended amount of pure water is a little lower.
And the eight glasses a day rule? Well, it turns out this is a rough estimate—in most cases, drinking when you’re thirsty should bring you to around eight glasses a day.
Drinking Water and Diabetes: The Benefits
While drinking water is important for your overall health, you may still be wondering, does drinking water help diabetes? There are plenty of benefits of drinking water for type 2 diabetes:
It Lowers Blood Glucose Levels
People with diabetes actually need more water than others. This is because when blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys try to rid the body of the sugar.
Upping your water intake will help your body to get rid of any extra sugar in the bloodstream through the urine.
Dehydration Can Be Dangerous for People with Diabetes
High blood sugar can make you more at risk of dehydration. This is because excess sugar in the body needs more water.
If you aren’t getting the water you need, you may experience symptoms of dehydration like headache, dizziness, fatigue, and dark urine.
Ease the Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a condition that isn’t linked to blood sugar levels. However, it’s a condition that makes it very hard for your body to retain water levels.
Drinking enough water will ease symptoms like dry mouth, headache, irritability, and sunken features.
Prevent the Onset of Hyperglycemia and Diabetes
If you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, staying well hydrated can actually help you prevent or delay the onset of the disease, especially if you drink more than 500ml a day.
Improve Your Digestion, Energy, Liver Health, Skin Health, and More
Overall, drinking plenty of water will ensure that you look and feel generally healthy.
This includes having a fully functioning digestive system, having plenty of energy throughout the day, maintaining a healthy liver, and having a clear, youthful complexion.
What to Drink When You Have Diabetes
Tired of guzzling down glass after glass of plain water? Here are some hydrating alternatives that won’t have a negative impact on your blood glucose levels.
Soda Water
Soda water or sparkling water that doesn’t contain any additives or sweeteners and can act as an excellent substitute to regular water for people with diabetes.
Try it with a few squeezes of lime or a spring of rosemary for an extra kick.
Lemon Water
Warm or cold, lemon water is a soothing, tasty beverage that will keep you hydrated. Plus, it has a few extra health benefits. Lemons are packed with vitamins, and can help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Tea
Unsweetened black or green tea is an excellent thing to include in your routine. Not only will it help to maintain your hydration levels—it will also provide you with antioxidants, help with weight loss, improve heart health, protect your teeth and bones—all important things to consider if you have type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic Shakes
If you’re looking for something with a bit more substance, try whipping up a smoothie or a shake that’s filled with low GI, healthy ingredients. Check out these Diabetic Shakes for inspiration.
