In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is Diabetes?Why Is Hydration Important for Diabetes?How Much Water Do You Need to Drink Daily with Diabetes?8 Tips for Healthy HydrationThe Bottom Line
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is Diabetes?
Why Is Hydration Important for Diabetes?
How Much Water Do You Need to Drink Daily with Diabetes?
8 Tips for Healthy Hydration
The Bottom Line
People may dodge the office candy dish or order diet soda over regular when trying to manage diabetes. Yet, drinking enough water may not be the first thing to come to mind. According to a 2022 study published inFrontiers in Public Health, hydration is a hallmark for a healthy metabolism, and diabetes is a metabolic condition. Further,dehydration can increase your riskfor diseases related to digestion, blood flow, urinary health and brain health—affecting diabetes and whole-body health.
One thing is for sure: good hydration is vital to your well-being. Keep reading to find out why hydration is essential, how much water to drink daily with diabetes and how to make drinking more water doable in your life.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes mellitus, a disease that directly affects the body’s ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Whether blood sugar levels rise too high or fall too low, abnormal blood sugar levels can harm the body and compromise good health. Insulin is a hormone your pancreas makes that regulates blood glucose (or blood sugar levels) so your body can use it properly for energy. “In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or does not use insulin effectively (type 2 diabetes), leading to elevated blood sugar levels,” says Stewart Parnacott, APRN, CRNA, CPT, a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist and certified personal trainer.
Overall, healthy hydration is vital for preventing high blood sugar levels, keeping the kidneys healthy (diabetes is a risk factor for kidney disease) and preventing dehydration that could escalate into a medical emergency and cause life-threatening conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. “Proper hydration also supports cardiovascular health, which is vital for individuals with diabetes, as they are at an increased risk of heart-related issues. Drinking enough water helps maintain blood volume and circulation, reducing the strain on the heart.” says Parnacott.
“People with diabetes do not necessarily need more water than others if their diabetes is well-controlled. If their blood glucose levels are high, they will lose more water and get dehydrated if they do not increase their water intake. It is most important to identify why their blood glucose levels are high and take steps to prevent that in the first place,” says Lothen-Kline.
“The Institute of Medicine recommends about 13 cups of water per day for men and 9 cups for women, but the reality is that individual needs vary widely [based on] factors such as age, activity level, weight and weather,” says Lothen-Kline.
The best way to find out how much water you need to drink daily with diabetes is to work with your medical provider. Some individuals with diabetes may have other conditions where drinking too much water can be dangerous. “Two health conditions that may require fluid restrictions are congestive heart failure and end-stage renal disease,” says Lothen-Kline.
An easy method to check your hydration levels is to check the color of your urine after using the bathroom. If you’ve been hydrating well, your urine should be a light pale yellow or sometimes nearly clear. Darker shades of pee signal that it’s time to refill your water glass.
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Drinking enough water can help youlive a healthier life, with or without diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that alters your ability to regulate blood sugars without lifestyle interventions. Staying hydrated is vital to managing your blood sugars and preventing diabetes-related complications. The best way to know how much water you need is to talk to your medical provider, because everyone’s needs differ. Generally, about 13 cups of water per day for men and 9 cups for women is the goal to aim for unless your doctor has said to follow a fluid-restriction plan.
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