Water is a vital component for overall health, and it is recommended to drink at least 7-8 glasses of water daily to meet the body's hydration needs.
Staying hydrated not only supports digestion and metabolism but also plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels, particularly for individuals with diabetes.
Why Does Drinking Enough Water Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels?
Water is a fundamental part of the human body, essential for almost all biological processes. It supports temperature regulation, digestion, circulation, and waste elimination through urine.
Additionally, drinking enough water helps regulate blood sugar levels in the following ways:
Helps Eliminating Excess Sugar Through Urine
Water helps flush excess sugar from the body via urine. When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys struggle to expel this sugar efficiently, causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream and leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Proper hydration ensures the kidneys can function optimally to remove sugar and maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Prevents Dehydration-Induced Blood Sugar Spikes
Dehydration can trigger an increase in the hormone levels of vasopression which induces a liver to produce more sugar in the blood and encourage the kidneys to hold water. This could potentially increase blood sugar levels.
Drinking enough water and keeping the body hydrated can help control the production of vasopresin, so that blood sugar levels are more stable.
Also read: Today's Sweet Drinks, Beware Of Liver Diseases
Helping the organ function optimally
Water is needed to perform various body functions, including carbohydrate and fat metabolism.Adequate hydration ensures that organs such as the liver and pancreas function efficiently.
Liver and pancreas are critical in blood sugar regulation. Liver stores and releases glucose into the bloodstream when blood sugar is low.
Meanwhile, pancreas produces insulin and glucagon, hormones essential for blood sugar balance. Insulin lowers blood sugar by facilitating glucose absorption into cells, while glucagon increases it when necessary.
Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Hydration enhances the distribution of insulin and glucose throughout the body. Studies indicate that staying well-hydrated can increase insulin sensitivity, enabling the body to use insulin more effectively to absorb glucose from the blood into cells.
Reduces Excessive Hunger
Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger, leading to overeating or consuming sugary foods. Drinking enough water can prevent this confusion, helping control calorie intake and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Maintaining hydration is essential not only for overall bodily function but also for keeping blood sugar levels in check. Make it a habit to drink enough water daily, while avoiding sugary beverages, to support optimal health and stable glucose levels.
If you have additional questions about managing blood sugar, consult a doctor through the Ai Care application, available for download on the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr Nadia Opmalina
Arlene Semeco, MS, RD (2024). 14 Easy Ways to Lower Blood Sugar Levels Naturally. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/14-ways-to-lower-blood-sugar
Amanda Crowe, MA, MPH. Why You Should Drink More Water. Available from: https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/eating-healthy/why-drink-more-water
CDC (2024). Manage Blood Sugar. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/treatment/index.html
Cleveland Clinic (2023). Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar). Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9815-hyperglycemia-high-blood-sugar
Valencia Higuera (2024). What to Know About Diabetes and Dehydration. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-and-dehydration