Diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make a sufficient amount of insulin, or the cells in the muscles, liver and fat do not properly use insulin, which results in a high level of blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that transports sugar from the blood into the muscle. If you are diabetic, you need to choose beverages that will not cause a sharp rise in blood sugar.
Water
Most of the body is made of water. A common misconception is that you need eight glasses of water per day for a total of 64 oz. According to a report in "Scientific American" in 2009, this figure was presented in 1945 by the Food and Nutrition Board, which is now part of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. In 2004, the Food and Nutrition Board reevaluated how much water you need and concluded that most healthy people could meet their daily hydration needs by drinking when they get thirsty. Water does not contain any calories or sugars, and is the ideal beverage for you if you are diabetic. However, water can contain chemicals, depending on the source and purification system. Distilled water can remove these impurities. According to Diabetes Health, distilled water may help prevent the accelerated aging affects and early onset of age-related problems of diabetes, such as nervous system, joint and vascular disorders.
Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and is a rich source of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols that may reduce blood cholesterol, prevent atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and cancer, and control blood sugar levels in diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Research by P.V. Anandh Babu published in "Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology" in 2006 found that green tea may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetes and significantly improve cholesterol and fat metabolism. Consumption of green tea may also ameliorate kidney disease in diabetic patients who have high blood pressure, according to research by Perola Ribaldo published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in 2009.
Vegetable Juice
Vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients that can sustain health and prevent disease. You can enjoy a variety of vegetable juices, including carrot juice, celery juice and tomato juice. Research by J.E. Upritch published in "Diabetes Care" in 2000 discovered that consumption of tomato juice increases plasma levels of lycopene, an antioxidant, by 300 percent, resulting in improved LDL-cholesterol and reduced risk of heart attack in patients with type 2 diabetes.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke
- American Diabetes Association: Sugar and Desserts
- Scientific American: Fact or Fiction? You Must Drink 8 Glasses of Water Daily
- Diabetes Health: Water: What You Drink Can Change Your Life
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
