8 Drinks That Help Fight Diabetes (Slideshow)

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.

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.

This is another great concoction to control blood sugar. It has been show to suppress complex sugar activity and improve insulin sensitivity after meals. It also aids in metabolism and weight loss, which are extra perks for diabetics.

You can drink a splash of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water mixed with lemon, lime, and cinnamon for better flavor. 

In a cup of hot water, sprinkle in some cinnamon and turmeric. These spices along with the water are powerful forces in controlling elevated sugar, both instantly and over time.

One Chinese study showed that black tea has the highest levels of polysaccharides, which slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. A new German study found, sipping three to four cups a day could lower the risk for developing diabetes by 16 percent. Tea may also help reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease.

A better alternative to sports drinks is coconut water. It is great for a diabetic because it is low in sugar and is plenty rich in minerals and vitamins which actually work to stabilize sugar. Quite frankly, it can be touted as Mother Nature's perfect drink.

Make yourself some hot chocolate with almond milk: it's a fantastic excuse to indulge in chocolate. Cocoa has been shown to improve glucose metabolism and decrease blood pressure. Use highly nutritious, low-fat, low-sugar almond milk and add dark cocoa powder. That, my friend, is a win-win situation.

Alcohol is a controversial issue for people with diabetes and you should discuss the issue of drinking with your own doctor before deciding whether or not to include alcohol in your diet. 

That said, polyphenols and resveratrol in red wine have antioxidant effects that can combat atherosclerosis and fluctuating sugars, which are major problems in diabetics. The formation of nitric oxide, which maintains healthy and open blood vessels, is also promoted, and this allows blood to flow freely without being impeded by sugar build-up, or glycation in vessels. Make sure the consumption of red wine is truly in moderation though, or don't drink at all.