How Much Water Should A Diabetic Drink Daily

How Thirsty Are You

Because water is so important for our survival our body has a very good way of letting us know if we are becoming dehydrated. Thirst. If you feel thirsty, you know you need to drink.

Have you ever wondered how your body knows when youre dehydrated? In our brain, receptors measure blood consistency and react if it gets thinner. As a result, a hormone called vasopressin gets released into our system. Vasopressin makes sure we keep more water in our body, by retaining water in our kidneys and igniting the feeling of thirst.1

If you want to double check your hydration status, a simple way is to look at the colour of your urine. Light yellow means youre hydrated, but if it turns dark yellow you are dehydrated.

Dehydration, which happens when the body does not have enough water, is very dangerous. If we lose just 1% of our body water, we have decreased power for exercise, decreased temperature control in our body and less appetite. At 5% water loss, our mental performance decreases with trouble concentrating, irritability, sleepiness, and often headaches. If we lose more than 8% of our water, we could actually die.1

Have you ever been so concentrated or busy you simply forgot to drink? Symptoms that might show up are: 1

• Dry, sticky mouth

Drinking this much water seems like a lot but remember that these are recommendations for our overall water intake, which includes the water we take in through our food.

Water Content In Foods

Below is a reference table for the water content in selected foods, based on Altman P. “Blood and Other Body Fluids” , Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology as cited in Popkin B. M., DAnci K. E., Rosenberg I. H. “Water, Hydration and Health” .

Using this table can help you determine which foods to include in your diet so you stay better hydrated and closer to the recommended daily water intake as estimated using our daily water intake calculator.

References

Popkin B. M., DAnci K. E., Rosenberg I. H. “Water, Hydration and Health” Nutrition Reviews 68:439458

Riebl S. K., Davy B. M. “The Hydration Equation: Update on Water Balance and Cognitive Performance” ACSMs Health & Fitness Journal 17:2128

Gandy J. “Water intake: validity of population assessment and recommendations” European Journal of Nutrition, 54:1116

Rehrer N.J., Burke L.M. “Sweat losses during various sports” Australian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics 53:1316

Malisova O., Athanasatou A., Pepa A., Husemann M., Domnik K., Braun H., Mora-Rodriguez R., Ortega J.F., Fernandez-Elias V.E., Kapsokefalou M. “Water Intake and Hydration Indices in Healthy European Adults: The European Hydration Research Study ” Nutrients 8:204

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How To Stay Hydrated If Youre Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Even if scientists still have questions about how dehydration affects the body, staying hydrated is clearly important for good health especially if you have type 2 diabetes.

So how can you make sure youre getting enough water to manage diabetes? Rizza and Simos offer the following tips.

Have some salt but not too much. Too much salt can be bad for blood pressure, Rizza says, but you do need some to maintain proper hydration. When you eat salt, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine, you help stabilize your electrolytes, which are charged substances that regulate essential functions in your body, helping you stay hydrated. If you already have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about how much salt to consume.

Check your blood glucose levels in extreme heat, and drink water if they are elevated. When its hot, its easier to become dehydrated, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Staying well hydrated can help reduce your blood glucose levels, which helps you manage the hormone insulin, Simos explains. And make sure that your blood glucose test strips and insulin are stored in a cool, dry place, she says, so that they dont lose their potency and accuracy.

Reach for hydrating snacks if youre hungry. For example, choose a cold piece of melon or a few frozen grapes, Simos says. Drinking a glass of water isnt the only way to get your fix.

Also Check: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar

Fatty Liver: What To Drink Each Day When Plain Water Becomes Boring

You dont have a lot of options when it comes to the beverages you can drink when you have a fatty liver. Drinking plain water gets old really fast, but you should know that you do have some options to vary things a bit.

This is what were going to talk about in todays article: what to drink if you have a fatty liver. Plain water is obviously the number one choice and what you will drink a lot of, but there are various other healthy options available.

First of all, were going to quickly go through the things you are definitely NOT allowed to drink anymore:

• You are not allowed to drink alcohol with fatty liver. This is one of the most important things you have to understand and accept, no matter how difficult
• You are not allowed to drink any sodas or juices with added sugars . They all have a ton of chemicals and/or carbs that are extremely unhealthy.
• Even natural juices should be consumed scarcely, because they contain a ton of carbs and not much else.

As you can see, there are quite some changes that you need to make if you want to reverse your fatty liver even when it comes to what you drink. But as you will see below, its not extremely difficult and you still have a ton of options.

So lets just check them out!

Will Glucerna Raise Blood Sugar

If youre trying to better manage your glucose levels and/or weight, Glucerna products can supplement a diabetes-friendly meal plan thats lower in carbs and higher in protein. Glucerna is formulated from slow-burning carbs that are designed to be digested slowly so as not to quickly raise your blood sugar.

Recommended Reading: How Long Do Type 1 Diabetics Live

What To Drink When You Have Diabetes

Your body is made up of nearly two-thirds water, so it makes sense to drink enough every day to stay hydrated and healthy.

Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices and smoothies all count.

We also get fluid from the food we eat, especially from fruit and veg.

Does it matter what we drink? Yes, particularly when it comes to fruit juices and sugary drinks you can be having more calories and sugar than you mean to because youre drinking them and not noticing.

How Much Water Should A Type 2 Diabetic Drink

Fact Checked

The Mayo Clinic has reported that recommended daily water intake is influenced by climate, exercise and health factors. The best way to know the specific amount of water that a diabetic should consume is by consulting a doctor. Nevertheless, there are a few guidelines all people can follow concerning hydration.

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Drinking Water May Cut Risk Of High Blood Sugar

Study Shows Staying Well Hydrated May Lower Risk of Hyperglycemia

In a study of 3,615 men and women with normal blood sugar levels at the start of the study, those who reported that they drank more than 34 ounces of water a day were 21% less likely to develop hyperglycemia over the next nine years than those who said they drank 16 ounces or less daily.

The analysis took into account other factors that can affect the risk of high blood sugar, including sex, age, weight, and physical activity, as well as consumption of beer, sugary drinks, and wine.

Still, the study doesn’t prove cause and effect. People who drink more water could share some unmeasured factor that accounts for the association between drinking more water and lower risk of high blood sugar, says researcher Ronan Roussel, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the Hospital Bichat in Paris.

“But if confirmed, this is another good reason to drink plenty of water,” he tells WebMD.

The findings were presented here at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association.

About 79 million Americans have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to result in a diagnosis of diabetes, according to the CDC. It raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. An additional 26 million have diabetes, the CDC says.

Soda And Energy Drinks

Sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and metabolic syndrome. Excess weight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, and both obesity and diabetes are features of metabolic syndrome.

For people who already have diabetes, this type of drink provides large amounts of sugar and requires little digestion. In addition, these drinks are not filling as they contain only simple carbs and no fiber. This means that a person can easily drink a lot of them.

Drinking sodas without healthful food can lead to large spikes in blood sugar levels.

It is best to avoid or limit the intake of soda and sugar-sweetened energy drinks, to reduce the chance of a sugar spike.

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How Much Food And Water Does A Syrian Hamster Eat/drink Everyday

This topic has been archived

• 143 posts

Posted 01 December 2014 – 03:59 AM

• 2,381 posts

Posted 01 December 2014 – 04:05 AM

With eating, I’d probably go with 1 tablespoon of food a day. Though if you think your hamster is eating more, s/he is likely just putting it away in a stash or keeping it in their cheek pouches. Hamsters are not known to overeat, so whatever amount they are eating is probably just normal for them.

For drinking, hamsters drink about 1 teaspoon a day, excessive drinking can point to problems so if you ever notice your hamster drinking 5-6 teaspoons of water it might be time for a vet visit.

• 143 posts

Posted 01 December 2014 – 04:13 AM

With eating, I’d probably go with 1 tablespoon of food a day. Though if you think your hamster is eating more, s/he is likely just putting it away in a stash or keeping it in their cheek pouches. Hamsters are not known to overeat, so whatever amount they are eating is probably just normal for them. For drinking, hamsters drink about 1 teaspoon a day, excessive drinking can point to problems so if you ever notice your hamster drinking 5-6 teaspoons of water it might be time for a vet visit.

• 2,381 posts

Posted 01 December 2014 – 04:17 AM

How do you know if a hamster is drinking excessively? My hamster drinks from a bowl and I won’t know if my hamster drank a lot or if it’s just evaporation.

• 1,649 posts

Posted 01 December 2014 – 04:21 AM

Edited by Jinxhammy, 01 December 2014 – 04:22 AM.

How Water Impacts Your Diabetes

Quite simply, when you dont drink enough water, the glucose in your bloodstream becomes more concentrated. And that leads to higher blood sugar levels. Both mild and severe dehydration can have a notable impact on your diabetes.

Even a mild level of dehydration something you may not even feel could easily leave your blood sugar levels 50 to 100 mg/dL higher than if you were drinking enough water.

If youre consistently dehydrated on a daily basis, you might even be compensating with higher insulin levels than youd need if your body was getting the water it needed.

More severe levels of dehydration, on the other hand, can drive blood sugars very high very quickly. For example, repeated vomiting from food poisoning or a stomach virus can lead to very sudden high blood sugar levels. But after an IV of fluids at the emergency room, youll likely see your blood sugar drop quickly towards normal levels without additional insulin.

Its 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.

Also Check: Insulin Deficiency Or Resistance Leading To Hyperglycemia And Ketoacidosis:

What Can People With Diabetes Drink Besides Water

Choosing the right beverages can make a major difference in managing blood sugar. While consuming lightly sweetened beverages in moderation is okay, unsweetened options are usually a better choice for people living with diabetes.

Unsweetened tea: Besides teaâs numerous health benefits, it can be beneficial for people living with diabetes. Unsweetened tea is a sugar-free drink option that has antioxidant properties and can help keep your body hydrated. Unsweetened green tea, black tea, and herbal tea are all diabetes-friendly options!

Milk: Milk in moderation can be a great choice for people living with diabetes. It contains a blood sugar balancing combination of fat, carbohydrate, and protein, and is considered a low glycemic food.

Homemade lemonade: Squeeze a wedge of lemon in your water and enjoy some fresh lemonade! Add some mint if youâre feeling up for it!

Unsweetened Coffee: Add a splash of milk or cinnamon for a blood-sugar friendly option. Generally speaking, I recommend drinking coffee over energy drinks for a caffeine boost. Or, tea if youâre not up for coffee.

Drink Plain Water Which Has A Neutral Effect On Blood Sugar

Water is one of the few beverages you can drink without worry throughout the day. Water is neutral, Zanini says. This means that water neither raises nor lowers your blood sugar.

Drinking water is also a great way to stay hydrated, and staying hydrated will help you regulate your blood sugar. Water helps dilute your blood, which lowers your blood sugar levels, Zanini explains.

In terms of daily intake, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends drinking ½ ounce to 1 oz of fluid, such as water, for each pound of body weight. Keep an eye on your hydration by checking that the color of your urine is light yellow, Zanini says.

If you often forget to drink as much water as you should, Basbaum has a suggestion for increasing your intake: Drink one 8 oz glass of water for every other beverage you drink that contains sugar substitutes or caffeine. Shake things up with sparkling water or by squeezing lemon or lime juice into your glass.

Read Also: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar

How Much Is Too Much

Alcohol consumption recommendations are the same for people with diabetes as the rest of the population: no more than one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. “Binge drinking” or drinking more than four drinks or five drinks within two hours, is strongly discouraged for health and safety reasons.If you are at a sporting event and plan to drink over several hours, pace yourself and dont overindulge. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than one drink per hour, and no more than three or four drinks in a day. And remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated!When it comes to beer, one drink is 12 ounces, or one can or bottle of beer. But remember, some cans and bottles might be more than 12 ounces. For example, large 24-ounce cans are common at many sports stadiums these would count as two drinks, not one!If you are pregnant or underage, you should not drink any alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you have other medical conditions like liver or kidney disease, or if you are on any medications.

General Water Drinking Recommendations

Below we present the general recommended amount of water intake based on recommendations from the EFSA and IOM. EFSA stands for European Food Safety Authority and IOM stands for the U.S. Institute of Medicine, data is based on reference 3. These are population-wide adequate intake estimations and are thus less preferred than the personalized calculations from our water intake calculator above.

In the table, water intake is in L/day . For reference, one liter is approximately equal to four standard water glasses.

It should be noted that, in general, our bodies are fairly good at estimating how much water one needs on a daily basis and this happens via the mechanism of thirst. If you are thirsty, you should certainly drink water no matter what any kind of estimation is telling you about how much water per day you need to drink.

Also Check: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar

Best Juice For Diabetes For Low Blood Sugars

Orange juice: Orange juice can be used to treat low blood sugar for people living with diabetes. Choose a brand that contains 100% fruit juice. OJ in moderation can also be a part of blood sugar friendly meal if paired with fat, fiber, and protein.

Apple juice: Apple juice has a little more sugar and carbohydrates compared to orange juice, which makes it a slightly better option to treat low blood sugar compared to orange juice. Again, choose a brand that contains 100% fruit juice, and if youâd like to enjoy apple juice when youâre not having a low blood sugar, make sure to enjoy it as part of a meal with fat, fiber, and protein.

Grape juice: Grape juice will typically have the highest amount of carbohydrates and sugar compared to orange and apple juice, and thus can be a good choice for treating low blood sugars.