How Much Water Should A Diabetic Drink Daily?

As a diabetic, you may be wondering how much water you should be drinking each day. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are some general guidelines that can help you in determining how much water is right for you. Read on to learn more about staying hydrated as a diabetic.

Did you know that water makes up more than half of the human body? It's no wonder why staying hydrated is important for everyone!

As Dr. Roberta Lee explains, "60 percent of our body is composed of water, 75 percent in our muscles, 85 percent in our brains." Water for our body is like oil for a machine.

However, recent research has found that Americans are not drinking enough water. In fact, the American Institute of Medicine says that 75% of Americans are constantly dehydrated.

This is especially worrisome for people with diabetes because severe dehydration affects blood sugar levels.

Severe dehydration can have a serious impact on blood glucose levels, so it's important to stay hydrated throughout the day. As a diabetic, are you having enough water? Or should you limit your water intake?

If you are not a fan of plain water, what are the best water alternatives available for you? This article will explain all of that and more.

What Are The Impacts of Water on Your Diabetes?

The effects of water on diabetes are multifaceted. Staying hydrated can help you lower your blood sugar, reduce the risk of dehydration-related health problems, increase energy levels, and even aid with weight loss.

However, for some people with a specific health condition, drinking too much water can also have a negative impact on diabetes management.

The Dangers of Diabetes and Dehydration

When people experience moderate dehydration symptoms such as dry lips and thirst, this is often one of the early signs of diabetes. But how exactly are dehydration and diabetes related?

For patients with diabetes mellitus, dehydration can be extremely harmful. Something simple as mild dehydration, which often goes unnoticed, can elevate your blood sugar levels by 50 to 100 mg/dL.

Similarly, If you've diabetes and you're frequently dehydrated, this might be because you're using more insulin than necessary. Adequate hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

The Diabetes Insipidus Condition

Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that affects the kidneys' ability to conserve water. People with this condition produce high amounts of urine and may become severely dehydrated due to lost fluids. As a diabetic, it is extremely important to maintain a healthy fluid balance.

The Excessive Thirst Condition

Excessive thirst, also known as polydipsia, is one of the early symptoms of diabetes. By urinating more frequently than usual due to high blood sugar, you can become dehydrated and still feel thirsty.

This happens because your kidneys make more urine to wash out the excess glucose in your body. Once your blood sugar levels start to go down, this cycle will end.

The Diabetes Ketoacidosis Condition

People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to experience diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after having high blood sugar levels.

When your body cannot process sugar properly, it begins to break down fat for energy instead. This creates ketones, which are a sort of acid. Having too many can cause serious problems like a decrease in your fluid level.

Some warning signs include:

• Flushed face
• Muscle stiffness
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Dry skin
• Diabetic coma

The Symptoms And Causes of Dehydration

Dehydration occurs mostly when you lose more fluid than you take in.

Symptoms may include:

• Thirst
• Headache
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Dry mouth, lips, and eyes
• Dark yellow urine
• Abnormal Heartbeat

The causes of dehydration may vary, but the most common are:

• Hot Temperature
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Excessive sweating
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Fever
• Drinking Alcohol

As a Diabetes, How Much Water Should Be Drinking Daily?

Although there is no concrete rule for how much water one person should drink, we can follow some broad guidelines.

The most important suggestion is to always have water accessible and to drink it when you feel thirsty.

You don’t need to make yourself consume a specific amount of water per day, but rather try a few sips regularly throughout the day.

Although you may not feel thirsty, it's still essential that you drink water regularly throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

The thirst reflex isn't always accurate, especially for people with diabetes, so it's better to proactively drink small amounts of water every hour.

The average person without diabetes is advised to drink 8 glasses of water a day, so those with diabetes should take that number to heart or else suffer the consequences in their blood sugar levels.

Diabetic women need 1.6 liters (L) of water a day, or 6 and a half cups, and men require 2 liters of water a day which is equivalent to 8 and a half glasses per day.

Both diabetic and non-diabetic water needs will differ based on outside temperature and how active they are. As a general rule of thumb, someone exercising or in hot weather need to consume more water than recommended above.

Related: 10 Facts about what happens to your body when you drink water every day

Drinking water at night

There are many benefits to drinking water at night, especially for those with diabetes. Water will keep you hydrated throughout the night and help remove toxins like bacteria.

Detoxing your body at night by drinking water can also help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.

There are certain people who should limit their water intake

Some health conditions can lead to your body over-processing water. If you have any of these issues or take medication for them, ask your doctor about the correct amount of water you should drink on a daily basis.

These conditions include:

• Liver issues
• Heart issues
• kidney issues
• Thyroid disease
• Water Retention Medication

Some Good Water Alternatives For Diabetics

Water is always the best choice when it comes to hydration, but there are also alternatives to plain water that can provide more flavor and nutrients. These include:

1. Sparkling water

This is a great alternative to plain water for people who have diabetes as it contains no added sugar or calories, and it is a good source of proper hydration.

It also has the added benefit of being refreshing and flavourful. There are many different types of sparkling water available, so be sure to try a few until you find one you like.

2. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are a great alternative to water for diabetics, as they provide flavor and nutrients that regular water doesn't have. There are many different types of herbal teas available, you will be able to find one that suits your taste.

Herbal teas also contain antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in the body. This is important for diabetics, as free radicals can damage cells whereby negatively affect your health condition.

One good example of a herbal is Ginger Tea. It has been shown to help in regulating blood sugar levels.

Related: Tea, A Healthier Drink Than You Thought

3. Fruit Juices (with no added sugar)

If you are a diabetic, it's important to stick to fresh or homemade fruit and vegetable juices without any added sweeteners.

These juices will provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help improve your health, regulate your blood sugar level and improve your overall diabetic condition.

Related: Healthy Juice Recipes

4. Coconut Water

Coconut water is a good alternative to water for diabetics, as it provides flavor and nutrients that regular water doesn't have. It's a natural source of electrolytes, which helps keep the body hydrated.

It also contains antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in the body which is extremely important for people with diabetes.

When To Consult A Doctor?

If you have mild dehydration, drinking more water and managing your diabetes may help regulate your fluid level and improve hydration.

If you cannot control your blood sugar levels with medication or by making specific lifestyle changes, speak to a doctor. They may need to readjust the dosage of your medication.

If you have any of the following severe symptoms of further dehydration, you should see a doctor immediately: confusion, low blood pressure, weak pulse, or diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms.

These mentioned signs include:

• Dizziness or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Breath with a fruity aroma
• Bewilderment (Feeling of being perplexed)

If it ever happens that your blood sugar is within the normal range but you are displaying symptoms of dehydration, you should consult your doctor for this type of condition as well.

Conclusion

Diabetics should always aim to prevent dehydration and drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated and regulate blood sugar levels. Water is the best choice when it comes to fluid intake for diabetics, as it doesn't contain any calories or sugars.

Increasing your fluid intake by drinking water helps to replenish the body's fluid reserves and prevent dehydration from becoming worse which can increase the risk of kidney failure, convulsions, and possibly coma if it is not treated promptly.

If ever you have doubts about your condition, consult your doctor to confirm how much water you should drink on a daily basis.