From the Guidelines
Drinking fluids, particularly water, can help decrease glucose levels by improving kidney function and reducing blood concentration. Staying well-hydrated helps your kidneys flush out excess glucose through urine. When you're dehydrated, your blood becomes more concentrated, which can lead to higher blood sugar readings. Aim to drink 8-10 glasses (64-80 ounces) of water daily, with more needed during exercise or hot weather. Water is the best choice as it contains no calories or carbohydrates. Unsweetened tea or coffee can also be beneficial. Avoid sugary beverages like soda, fruit juice, and sweetened tea or coffee as these can raise blood sugar levels. Drinking water before meals may also help reduce food intake and improve insulin sensitivity. For those with diabetes, maintaining proper hydration should be part of your overall management plan alongside medication, diet, and exercise, but it's not a replacement for prescribed treatments. If you have kidney problems, consult your healthcare provider about appropriate fluid intake as excessive water consumption may not be recommended 1.
Some key points to consider:
- Ingestion of 15–20 g glucose is the preferred treatment for hypoglycemia, although any form of carbohydrate that contains glucose may be used 1.
- The response to treatment of hypoglycemia should be apparent in 10–20 min; however, plasma glucose should be tested again in 60 min, as additional treatment may be necessary 1.
- During acute illnesses, individuals with type 1 diabetes should continue insulin, test blood glucose and blood or urine ketones, drink adequate amounts of fluids, and ingest carbohydrate, especially if blood glucose level is < 100 mg/dl (< 5.5 mmol/l) 1.
- Fluid intake should be increased to prevent dehydration, and replacement fluids containing sodium, such as broth, tomato juice, and sports drinks, are helpful 1.
It's essential to prioritize the most recent and highest quality study, which in this case is 1, to ensure the best possible outcome in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Effect of Fluids on Glucose Levels
- The study 2 investigated the influence of drinking water on glycemic parameters in persons with or without type 2 diabetes, and found low evidence for the positive effects of water or mineral water in improving glycemic parameters.
- However, meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies and other observational studies suggest a probable positive effect of drinking water and mineral water on glycemic parameters, especially when substituting diet beverages or caloric beverages with water.
- The study 2 also discussed the effects of important supplements in mineral water, such as hydrogencarbonate and magnesium, which may have a positive effect on glycemic parameters.
Insulin Therapy and Glucose Levels
- The study 3 discussed insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes, and how it can help decrease glucose levels, but did not specifically address the role of fluids in glucose level management.
- The study 4 compared the effects of a premixed insulin analogue with a basal insulin analogue, both plus metformin, on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, and found that the premixed insulin analogue achieved lower overall and mealtime glycemic control.
Metformin and Glucose Levels
- The study 5 discussed the role of metformin in the management of type 2 diabetes, and how it can help decrease glucose levels by reducing glucose production in the liver and increasing insulin sensitivity.
- The study 6 found that metformin increases insulin sensitivity and basal glucose clearance in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and improves glycaemia, but did not specifically address the role of fluids in glucose level management.
Overall Findings
- While there is limited direct evidence on the effect of fluids on glucose levels, the available studies suggest that drinking water and mineral water may have a positive effect on glycemic parameters, especially when combined with other interventions such as insulin therapy and metformin.