The Importance Of Managing Hydration And Type 2 Diabetes
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Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition that requires careful management to avoid serious complications. Diet, medication and weight control play key roles in living well with diabetes, but proper hydration is also crucial to staying healthy and regulating glucose levels. Here’s a look at how ORS Hydration Tablets can be an ideal solution.
Why is drinking adequate amounts of water crucial for diabetics?
Adequate hydration is crucial for people living with diabetes for several reasons. High blood glucose levels can increase the risk of dehydration, because the body will try to remove excess glucose through urine. If there is not enough fluid available, the body will draw on other sources of water such as saliva and tears, further increasing the risk of dehydration.
Adequate fluid intake will help the kidneys to function optimally, which means that they can work more efficiently to filter out glucose and flush it out of the body.
When the body is dehydrated, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases because there is less water available to dilute it. This can worsen the condition and heighten the risk of complications.
The benefits of water Vs. other beverages
Drinking water is an ideal way for people with type 2 diabetes to stay hydrated, because it contains no calories or carbohydrates and therefore won’t spike blood sugar levels. This helps the body to more efficiently eliminate excess glucose from the blood.
How much water do we need to drink?
It is recommended by the European Food Safety Authority that women drink about eight glasses of water per day (2 litres) and men drink about ten glasses of water per day (2.5 litres). However, individual water consumption needs may vary according to factors such as age, body weight, activity level, and climatic conditions.
For those individuals who need to carefully manage their hydration due to a health condition such as type 2 diabetes, it’s important to drink moderate amounts of water consistently throughout the day, rather than wait until thirst becomes acute and then drink a lot of water at once.
This is because the kidneys can become overloaded by a sudden influx of water, and it will be soon expelled as urine.
Signs that you might not be drinking enough water
The most obvious sign that you are not properly hydrated is thirst, but there are also other signs that you might misattribute to other reasons. These include the following:
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Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
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Dark coloured urine
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Dry or cracked lips
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Feeling tired or fatigued
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Muscle cramps
Tips for increasing your water intake
Flavour your water
If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding flavour with fruit, such as a slice of pineapple or lemon. This is a much healthier alternative to drinking juices or sugary drinks, particularly for diabetics.
Carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times
If you are out and about a lot, or simply don’t want the interruption of getting up from your desk to top up your water glass, then having a reusable water bottle with you is a convenient way to stay hydrated. Set reminders to drink water if you tend to forget to drink.
Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, meaning that they increase urine production and so are less effective at restoring fluid levels.
Use electrolyte tablets
Electrolyte tablets help the body to replenish fluid levels faster, because they contain electrolytes, which are contained in bodily fluids that we constantly lose through breathing and so on. These are essential vitamins and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which help to maintain fluid balance and support nerve and muscle function.
Diabetics should look for sugar-free tablets that will keep glucose levels stable. They can easily be added to a glass of water at the beginning of the day, or used to top up your electrolyte levels whenever you notice signs of dehydration.
Hydration is an important aspect of managing type 2 diabetes effectively, yet it can often be overlooked as there is so much emphasis on which foods to eat and which to avoid, how to lose weight and so on. Adequate water balance will help your body to regulate glucose more effectively, allowing you to live well and focus on other areas of your life.