If you have diabetes, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels, which can be especially difficult if you’re not feeling well. But there are some drinking habits that can help control your blood sugar levels and may even help prevent diabetes.
- Avoid sugary drinks
Sugary drinks, such as soda and fruit juices, can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. If you drink these sugary beverages regularly, you may want to consider cutting down on them or replacing them with water or unsweetened tea.
- Drink caffeinated beverages in moderation
Caffeine is another common ingredient in many sugary drinks. Although caffeine does not directly affect your blood sugar levels, it can increase stress hormones and make it harder for your body to regulate them properly. Caffeine also dehydrates the body and causes your kidneys to release more urine than usual, which makes it easier for your body to become dehydrated.
- Drink with food
Drinking on an empty stomach increases blood sugar levels more than drinking with food does. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to process one ounce of pure alcohol (the amount found in most mixed drinks). This means that if you drink without eating, your blood sugar could spike as soon as 20 minutes after taking the first sip (and even sooner if your meal was low in carbohydrates).
- Drink water
Drinking water with meals can help keep your blood sugar levels stable. If you don’t drink enough water, your body will store it as fat. This can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Drink Tea
Tea is another great source of antioxidants and may help lower blood pressure as well as improve heart health. Green tea in particular has been shown to have anti-diabetic effects, including improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation in the body (both of which are associated with better blood sugar control). This may be due in part to its high content of catechins (anti-inflammatory flavonoids) and strong antioxidant properties.
