Drink Less: Fruit Juice
Your mom served up OJ every day with breakfast, and you grew to love it. The labels display tempting photos of colorful fruit. But are juices healthy diabetic drinks for blood sugar and weight control? A regular juice habit is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in Diabetes Care. In terms of nutrition, a piece of real fruit is a better deal . A 4-ounce serving of 100 percent orange juice has 56 calories, 12 grams carbohydrates, and no fiber compare that to a small fresh orange, which has 45 calories, 11 grams carbohydrates, and 2 grams of blood-sugar-controlling fiber. That said, people with diabetes can indulge in a little 100 percent fruit juice once in a while, says registered dietitian Dawn Menning, a certified diabetes educator in Los Angeles, CA. They should just know the amount of juice they are consuming and factor the number of carbohydrates into their eating plan, she says.
How much: Juice lovers, eat fruit or switch to a low-sodium veggie juice, which is much lower in calories and carbohydrates than fruit juice. If youre really craving juice, try a 4-ounce serving with a meal. Test your blood sugar afterward, and then repeat with the same meal for the next three or four days. If your blood sugar doesnt rise more than 35 to 50 points, a little juice could be fine. Now that you know the best drinks for people with diabetes, read on for more lifesaving things people with diabetes can do.
Drinks With Artificial Sweeteners
Be aware of popular hydration drinks and electrolyte drinks that claim to be healthy and say sugarless. In most cases sugarless simple means there are artificial sweeteners or bad sugar substitutes. Artificial sweeteners are made from chemicals and have been proven to be bad for the body and even cause cancer. Sugar substitutes like high-fructose corn syrup, which is another form of sugar but derived from corn, are not good for diabetics.
The Best Electrolyte Drinks For Diabetes Guidelines
What is the criteria for the best electrolyte drinks for diabetes? Im looking for a drink that contains all of the electrolytes, is sweetened with stevia or Lo Han Guo, does not contain any artificial sweeteners or colors, and is low in carbohydrates. A bonus is given if it contains chromium and vitamin C, both of which are very beneficial for diabetics.
Stevia has been found to regulate blood sugar and prevent hypertension, decrease blood glucose and improve carbohydrate metabolism. Lo Han Guo has been found to improve insulin response, reduce blood sugar, lower lipid peroxidation, and reduce protein spilling . When chromium is available in sufficient amounts, lower amounts of insulin are required to move glucose into the cells. One randomized, double-blind study found that after 12 weeks, vitamin C with metformin increased ascorbic acid levels, reduced fasting blood sugar, post-meal blood glucose, and improved HbA1C compared to the placebo group.
Don’t Miss: What Happens If You Have Low Blood Sugar
Gatorade Or Propel Is One Better Than The Other
Gatorade is another sports drink with some significant differences. The most crucial difference between propel water and Gatorade is the sodium content. The sodium content of Propel water is 150 to 210 mg, while that of Gatorade is 270 mg.
Apart from the sodium content, Gatorade also contains a good amount of sugar and dextrose as an energy source. For this reason, unlike propel water, Gatorade contains calories, 140 of them to be exact. These calories are good for intense workout sessions where you need a little extra glucose to function well.
Unlike Propel water, there is no vitamin content in Gatorade, which is okay as long as you get a good amount of vitamin B from your diet. With a good, balanced diet, you dont need to worry about the vitamin content in drinks.
Gatorade does not contain artificial sweeteners but contains a coloring agent, Red 40, and caramel color. The FDA approves both Red 40 and caramel colors, so Gatorade in moderate amounts wont hurt.
There is no specific dosage mentioned by these companies, as the intake will depend on how much you are sweating. Keep a maximum of 1 bottle per session for an average session since we do not have any set dose standards. You can do more if your workout session is of longer duration and higher intensity.
Drinks For People With Type 2 Diabetes
Choosing the right drinks for people with diabetes is as important as choosing the right foods, and it isnt always simple. Is coffee helpful or harmful to insulin resistance? Does zero-calorie diet soda affect your blood sugar? Some studies may only add to the confusion. We reviewed the research and then asked three top registered dietitians, who are also certified diabetes educators, what they tell their clients about seven everyday drinks for people with diabetes. Heres what to know before you sip.
You May Like: Insulin Antagonist
Drink These In Moderation
Fruit juice:
Does Propel Raise Blood Sugar
I didnt find any research directly on whether Propel water raises blood sugar. However, Propel has sucralose, which has been shown to affect insulin resistance.
Sucralose is not absorbed in the small intestine like normal sugar, so it ends up in the large intestine. Apparently, it alters your gut bacteria there, affecting your tolerance to carbohydrates.
So theoretically, drinking a lot of Propel water mayworsen your blood sugar control. But this hasnt been tested directly, to my knowledge.
There are also suspicions that artificial sweeteners may cause an insulin response through another mechanism. That is, the sweet taste of artificial sweeteners may trigger an insulin response even without real sugar in your bloodstream.
So, proceed with caution. If blood-sugar control is crucial for you, Id recommend using a glucometer like this one to actually test whether Propel has any affect for you.
Also Check: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar
So Is Propel Water Good For You
Whether you need, propel water or not will most likely depend on your workout routine. No one rule fits all when it comes to choosing a sports drink.
Propel electrolyte water has zero calories, zero sugars, and zero carbohydrates and may or may not be a good thing depending upon what kind of workout you do. Adding vitamin B is a good thing as this will help you get better performance and recover.
However, we must remember that its a sports drink, and it is not for everyone. Propel water is okay to be used in moderation but should never replace water completely.
Minimal Effect On Blood Sugar Levels
100 grams of Okra only contains 7.45 grams of carbohydrates. Additionally, Okra has a low glycemic index, making it ideal for blood sugar control.
Okra doesnt just keep blood sugar from rising undesirably it can lower and control blood glucose levels. This is especially important in patients that have diabetes.
High blood sugar levels also trigger inflammation and can be a concern for diabetics. It can cause insulin resistance and further complicate the condition. Inflammation is a natural response within our body to protect us from germs and bacteria. However, some people experience chronic inflammation, which means that the body becomes inflamed even when there isnt a threat warranting the response.
Inflammation can end up damaging blood vessels. Plaques then cover the damaged blood vessels. However, if the inflammation is chronic, they also break down and move around the body and damage organs.
Recommended Reading: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon
Is It Okay To Drink Propel Every Day
This is really a personal question, based on your risk tolerance and how your body reacts to artificial sweeteners.
Personally, I would not drink Propel water every day. I would be concerned about getting too much of the artificial sweeteners, and how that might affect my insulin sensitivity .
That said, some people may be comfortable with the risks of drinking sucralose and acesulfame potassium regularly. Review the evidence and decide for yourself.
For me, I would only drink Propel as an occasional treat.
Related Question:
- Is it safe to drink electrolyte water every day? It is safe to drink electrolyte water daily, as long as the other ingredients are healthy. But unfortunately, most electrolyte drinks have artificial sweeteners or other questionable ingredients, toonot just electrolytesso they may be best in moderation.
What Is Propel Water
Propel is a sports drink, but more specifically, water that has been enhanced with electrolytes and other flavors. These electrolytes are meant to replace what a person loses in sweat during a workout, sporting event, or fitness class. These flavored waters are not only packed with electrolytes but the daily recommended dose of vitamins B3, B5, B6, C, and E.
Propel water and any electrolyte water are mainly aimed at people who work out. Its essentially a workout drink rather than a casual drink.
When we workout, we sweat, and with sweat, one of the major electrolytes of our system, i.e., sodium, is also lost. Then, when you drink plain water, it further dilutes the already depleted sodium levels in your body. Thats why you must replace both the lost fluid and electrolytes to maintain the optimum functioning of your body. Dehydration is linked with poor workout performance. And sodium plays a significant role in functioning nerves and muscles, maintaining blood pressure, and maintaining our bodys fluid balance.
Excessive loss of sodium can result in symptoms like nausea and vomiting, confusion, headache, drowsiness, irritability, muscle weakness/spasm/cramps, seizures, and even coma in very severe cases.
Recommended Reading: How Many Carbs Should A Diabetic Have In One Day
Lab Tech Said Something Shocking
It would be interesting to know why artificial sweetners are not ok. I wonder if they might trigger a physiological response. Your senses believe it is a sugar and may trigger some sort of response. Chemically, they shouldn’t affect a blood test.
ZoeSotet said:I wonder if they are as accurate as a test done in a lab from the vein though.The A1C only shows a 3 month average anyway, and I get my blood tested at the lab every 3 months at the moment because of my thyroid.
ZoeSotet said:I wonder if they are as accurate as a test done in a lab from the vein though.The A1C only shows a 3 month average anyway, and I get my blood tested at the lab every 3 months at the moment because of my thyroid.
some
Are There Any Natural And Organic Alternatives To Propel
An ideal sports drink would contain sodium, potassium, and maybe glucose to cover the losses and the energy source. You can make a sports drink at home using simple ingredients.
You will need:
- Salt- for sodium- 1 dash of salt contains 155 mg of sodium in it.
- Lemon juice- for potassium- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice contain 31.4 mg of potassium.
- Glucose- for energy source- use as per instructions in the pack. You can skip this if you pre-load with carbs or if your exercise routine is not of long duration.
- Regular water- you can choose filter or tap
Mix the above ingredients, and there you have it your homemade sports drink containing both the essential electrolyte as well as the energy source.
Alternatively, you can also use coconut water as it contains various electrolytes, including both sodium and potassium. It is naturally low in sugar, but its a very healthy alternative provided that you have access to fresh or unsweetened coconut water in the market.
Additionally, you can check out the 10 Best Drinks Post Workout drinks for a better post-workout recovery and do not contain artificial sweeteners.
Don’t Miss: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar
Rachel Macpherson Ba Cpt
Drinking Propel water, a noncarbonated water drink enhanced with vitamins and antioxidants, can help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost through exercise or sweating. Propel water was created to hydrate and nourish without the excess calories and sugars found in traditional sports drinks.
Video of the Day
Tip
Drinking Propel Fitness water can help restore and replenish electrolytes after a tough workout or simply sweating. However, eating specific foods and maintaining proper levels of hydration can also help replenish electrolytes.
Is Propel Water Better Than Gatorade
Propel water has the same electrolytes as Gatorade, without the sugar or artificial colors. For this reason, some people consider Propel healthier than Gatorade. However, Propel has artificial sweeteners, which come with other possible risks. Therefore, it depends on your priorities and concerns.
Personally, I would rather drink Propel than Gatorade from a health perspective. The sugar in Gatorade is just way too much for me personally. I try to avoid big spikes in my blood sugar, due to how it affects my acne.
However, I wouldnt want to drink a lot of Propel on a regular basis, either. As covered above, it could have a negative effect on my insulin sensitivity and possible cause other problems in the long-term.
Neither Propel nor Gatorade are really healthy, natural drinks. Drinking tap water, coconut water, or unsweetened tea would usually be a healthier choice.
You May Like: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar
Is Propel Better Than Regular Water
If you dont work out at all or do mild workouts, you dont need any electrolyte water, let alone Propel water. Electrolytes coming from your diet will cover for the lost electrolytes in the sweat.
If you drink propel water all day long for months and or years on end, you flood your system with sodium and risk getting Hypernatremia . The symptoms can include muscle weakness, restlessness, extreme thirst, confusion, seizure, and in rare cases, coma.
If, on the other hand, you are someone who has an extreme workout routine, then Propel water would be a good option for you, but only during the workout sessions.
Sodium aside, there are other ingredients in Propel water that are a bit controversial. Sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and SHMP are some of these said ingredients. Some research out there makes compelling reasons as to why these should be ingested in limited quantities.
The Best Electrolyte Drinks Diabetes
1. Primitive Scientific Whole Food Electrolyte Powder
The Primitive Scientific Whole Food Electrolyte Powder is a new product that is designed for athletes. However, the design of the formula is also extremely targeted for those with type 2 diabetes.
This powder contains a full-spectrum of electrolytes and trace minerals, trace amounts of prebiotic fiber, and a host of superfoods that are perfect for those with type 2 diabetes. These include coconut, pomegranate, tart cherry, beets, dandelion, schisandra, shilajit/fulvic acid, sumac, and apple cider vinegar. It is sweetened with monk fruit and stevia, making it a sweet but safe choice for diabetics. Lets take a look at how all of these are helping you:
Fermented coconut water: Studies have shown it contains anti-glycation properites.1,2Pomegranate: May suppress postprandial hyperglycemia and improves markers of heart health in diabetics.3, 4Tart Cherry: The anthocyanins in tart cherry prevent insulin resistance and improve antioxidant capacity in diabetics. 5,6Beets: Beets may benefit blood sugar and insulin levels through nitric oxide signaling, and lower the risk of diabetes complications.Dandelion and Shisandra: Both contains anti-diabetic properties.7,8Shilajit/fulvic acid: May improve blood glucose levels and lipid levels.9,10Sumac: Sumac has been shown to improve insulin and lipid profiles, and make diabetics less susceptible to cardiovascular disease.11,12
2. DayLyte
Calories: 0
Also Check: What Is A High Blood Sugar Reading
A Look At Propel Nutrition & Ingredient
The label of the bottle says it contains:
- No fruit juice
- Vitamin B6 50%
- Pantothenic acid 50% of RDA
The label also acknowledges that its NOT a significant source of calories from fat, saturated or trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin A, calcium, or iron. It makes sense, as it is essentially tap water enhanced with vitamins.
Apart from the nutritional content, certain other ingredients are present in this product.
- Citric acid-
- Sodium hexametaphosphate
- Natural flavor
- Salt: An good source of sodium, plus it also acts as a preservative.
- Potassium sorbate : This is pretty safe to use. Put under the generally safe for use category by the FDA. Up to 300 mg/kg of potassium sorbate has been shown to cause no side effects in animal models.
- Potassium citrate: This is another preservative, with not many known side effects when used as a preservative.
- Sodium citrate: Acidity regulator and emulsifier. Again, not many known side effects.
- Sucralose,
- calcium disodium EDTA
- calcium pantothenate
It is a sugar-free product, but it does have artificial sweeteners.
Propel water is rich in vitamin B, which is a good thing. Vitamin B plays a vital role in the proper functioning of our body while performing high-intensity workouts and is also required for cell repair post-workout phase.
Looks good so far.
Water: The Gold Standard
While sugar substitutes are generally healthier than what theyre replacing, Benavides says water is still the best beverage of all.
Water is the gold standard of beverages, Benavides said. It has no calories, no carbs and goes with just about any meal.
If you find yourself getting tired of plain water, try infusing it with some fruit or fresh mint. Infused water is virtually calorie-free because the nutrients from infused fruit is negligible. However, sugar, calories and fiber can still be consumed if you eat the fruit itself.
Read Also: What Happens In Type 1 Diabetes