8 Drinks That Help Fight Diabetes
A recent study in the journal Diabetes Care states that researchers found that people who drank 16 ounces or less of water a day (two cups worth) were 30 percent more likely to have high blood sugar than those who drank more than that daily. The connection may be a hormone called vasopressin, which helps the body regulate hydration. Vasopressin levels increase when a person is dehydrated, which signals the liver to produce more blood sugar.
8 Drinks That Help Fight Diabetes (Slideshow)
So one great addition to a healthier lifestyle for people who are living with diabetes is to include more water in your diet. The problem here? Plain water every day can taste kind of boring, and people with diabetes may already feel that their diets are restricted. So what are some good ways to up your water intake while not completely boring your palate?
One simple solution is to incorporate spa water into your diet. With a name like that, it sounds indulgent, and fortunately, it can taste that way, too, while still being very good for you. Spa water is a delicious combination of fresh fruits, and sometimes herbs, that you can infuse into cold water. It's great to keep a pitcher in your fridge running, and you can mix up a variety of different combinations with whatever ingredients you like so that you don't get tired of the same tastes every day.
We recommend a combination of diabetes-fighting lemon and lime wheels with some anti-oxidant-packed fresh berries. You can slice up just one or two strawberries and they'll infuse a whole pitcher of water with their bright, berry sweetness. Peppermint, which is thought to potentially help both nerve and digestive disorders associated with diabetes, can be added to spa water as well, for a fresh, invigorating, and healthful taste.
Eating and drinking well is something everyone should enjoy, and having diabetes should never prevent you from doing that. But learning how to make healthy (and tasty) drink choices when you have diabetes may take some getting used to. Take a look at our suggestions to find out more about healthful drink options you should feel great about enjoying.
Chamomile Tea
No calories, big flavor, and a boatload of antioxidants have made chamomile tea trendy for health reasons, especially for diabetics. Research performed at the University of Toyama in Japan and Aberystwyth University in Wales suggests that regularly drinking chamomile tea may help lower blood sugar in addition to preventing complications including nerve and circulatory damage, kidney disease, and blindness that can occur due to the condition.
Almond Milk
This drink can help lower blood sugar. Buy the unsweetened version so you aren't accidentally drinking added sugars. Throw in half a banana and a spoon of peanut butter to make a smoothie that will help stabilize fluctuating sugar.