Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

Q:

Does drinking lots of water and staying well hydrated help with keeping blood sugar levels at a more normal level?

A:

This is probably one of the simplest questions to answer, but one of the most important ones: YES! Whenever blood sugars are high, they need lots of water to leave via the kidneys: a ratio of 6 molecules of water for every molecule of sugar. If this is not being drunk, then the body cells get "drunk" and dehydration sets in. Blood sugars are closer to desired levels when one is well-hydrated, moderates food intake, stays active, and seeks out ways to manage daily stress in our nervous society. When there are many factors to control, peck away at them one at a time if that's what it takes for creating a personal program of success. Happy drinking!