Drinking water may not seem directly related to blood sugar levels, but it plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance, supporting kidney function and regulating hormones that affect glucose metabolism.
اضافة اعلان
According to a report published by Verywell Health, some evidence suggests that drinking more than one liter of water per day may be associated with a lower risk of high blood sugar.
However, drinking water is not a substitute for insulin or prescribed medications for people with diabetes.
1. It helps regulate blood sugar concentration
The amount of water in the body directly affects blood volume, which is mostly made up of water.
When dehydration occurs, the amount of fluid circulating in the bloodstream decreases, making glucose more concentrated in the blood plasma.
This can lead to higher blood-sugar readings even if the actual amount of glucose in the body has not changed.
Drinking water can help dilute glucose by increasing the amount of fluid in the bloodstream, but it does not replace insulin, which is normally used to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
2. It supports kidney function
The kidneys play an essential role in regulating blood sugar, and water helps support their ability to filter the blood.
When blood glucose rises above a certain level, the kidneys filter excess glucose and eliminate it through urine.
People with diabetes need adequate fluids to help the body remove excess sugar through urination.
Maintaining good hydration therefore supports the elimination of excess glucose and may help reduce the amount of sugar circulating in the blood.
3. It helps regulate hormones
Dehydration can affect the release and function of hormones involved in glucose metabolism.
When the body becomes dehydrated, levels of cortisol and vasopressin can increase. Both hormones can contribute to higher blood sugar.
These hormones signal the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream, while vasopressin also helps the body retain water by reducing urine production.
Drinking enough water may help limit the release of these stress-related hormones, potentially reducing signals that cause the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream.
4. It reduces the risk of dehydration
Dehydration increases the concentration of sugar in the blood and can make blood-sugar management more difficult, particularly for people with diabetes.
At the same time, high blood sugar increases urination as the body attempts to eliminate excess glucose.
Frequent urination can cause significant water loss, worsening dehydration and, in turn, contributing to higher blood sugar.
This can create a cycle of high blood sugar → frequent urination → water loss → dehydration → higher blood sugar.
Drinking enough water helps maintain hydration and may help break this cycle, supporting more stable blood-sugar levels.
5. It may improve insulin sensitivity
Basic metabolic processes, including blood-sugar regulation, take place at the cellular level. Cells need adequate water to maintain their normal structure and function, a process known as cellular hydration.
Insulin lowers blood sugar by facilitating the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it can be stored as glycogen.
The level of hydration within cells plays an important role in this process.
Research suggests that adequate hydration may help cells respond to insulin, improving insulin sensitivity and facilitating the removal of glucose from the bloodstream.
6. It may indirectly help with weight management
Being overweight and obesity are important factors associated with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, affecting blood-sugar regulation.
Water may indirectly contribute to maintaining a healthy weight and improving blood-sugar control.
Drinking water can also increase feelings of fullness, potentially helping reduce food intake, control portion sizes and lower overall calorie consumption.
