Contents
Overview
Diabetes brings about many restrictions in a person’s the life affected by it. In the case of diet, the restrictions are more severe. The meals for diabetes, breakfast for diabetics, and snacks for diabetics, all have to be prepared and planned to keep the health restrictions and requirements in mind. Diabetic patients just can consume 1 can of soda or 1 glass of chilled soft drink since these are high in sugar and calorie that promote weight gain and increase blood glucose level – that is extremely harmful to type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. But this doesn’t mean that diabetic patients should avoid all refreshing beverages. Delicious herbal teas, infused water, milkshakes and green tea are best healthy drinks for diabetics that are low in calories and rich in antioxidants. In this article, we at VKool.com will show you top 9 healthy drinks for diabetics. Read on and include them in your diet.
9 Best Healthy Drinks For Diabetics You Should Know
I. Best Drinks For Diabetics
1. Drinks For Diabetics – Coffee
According to a 2006 study, moderate consumption of both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and younger women [1]. However, overconsumption of coffee can raise blood sugar level. Coffee contains the compound Chlorogenic acid, which helps to delay the glucose absorption into the bloodstream and curb type 2 diabetes. Along with that, coffee has no carbohydrates and calorie, which make it become one of the best drinks for diabetics. Thus, you should enjoy 1-2 cups of coffee a day without sugar and milk. This is because adding sugar, milk or cream to coffee may increase the overall calorie count and affect the levels of blood sugar.
Read also: Home remedies for diabetes in men and women
2. Drinks For Diabetics – Milk
As we know, milk is a healthy and beneficial drink for kids. It is also good for diabetics. A 2000 study found that consuming low-fat dairy products is related to mortality of diabetes, lower incidence and lower blood pressures [2]. Milk helps to promote weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and maintain essential functions of the body. Fat-free and low-fat milk is considered as one of the healthiest drinks for diabetes, which help to reduce high blood pressure. Therefore, you should take two to three servings of dairy products on a regular basis.
3. Drinks For Diabetics – Green Tea
One of the best healthy drinks for diabetics is green tea because it has zero carbohydrates and calories. So, diabetic patients can drink an unlimited amount of green tea without any restrictions. According to a study, green tea can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and lower blood pressure [3]. Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help to neutralize the inflammation effects that protect from coronary heart diseases and decrease the risks of developing type 2 diabetes. Besides, both black and green tea comes with the polysaccharides, which aid in slowing down the sugar absorption into the bloodstream. It is suggested to enjoy 4-5 cups of green tea daily to decrease the risk of developing diabetes and keep diabetes in check. You should avoid sweeteners whether you choose black, green, or herbal tea.
4. Drinks For Diabetics – Water
Water is one of the best drinks for diabetics because it won’t increase the levels of blood sugar. High levels of blood sugar can cause dehydration. Consuming enough water can help the body remove excess glucose through urine. Men should consume around 10 glasses of water daily while women should consume approximately 8 glasses. If plain water does not appeal to you, you can create some variety by adding sprigs of flavorful herbs, such as basil, mint, or lemon balm, or adding slices of lime, lemon, or orange, or crushing several frozen or fresh raspberries into your drink.
5. Drinks For Diabetics – Bitter Gourd Juice
Bitter gourd is an effective medicine for anemic and diabetic people. It is good for treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes because it affects the transport channels for glucose. According to a study, bitter gourd juice has beneficial impacts on glucose tolerance as well as lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced type -2 diabetic rats [4]. In addition, it contains hypoglycemic substance so that it helps to reduce the urine sugar and blood sugar levels. For making this juice, you need to wash the bitter gourd at first and later peel its top skin. Then, cut it into fine pieces and afterward, properly apply salt by rubbing it with some turmeric. Keep it for several minutes and extract its juice. Crush these pieces in a mixer properly. For taste & tangy flavor, add some fresh lemon juice to it.
6. Drinks For Diabetics – Cucumber Juice
Cucumber is enriched with calcium, iron, phosphorus, amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin B1, aromatic substances, vitamin C and vitamin B2 so that it helps to effectively improve human health. Additionally, it contains the powerful effects that can reduce heat, eliminate inflammation, diuretic, reduce swelling and treat arthritis. According to an article on Live Strong, a 2024 animal study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research showed that cucumber pulp extract helped to reduce blood sugar [5]. Therefore, diabetic patients should drink cucumber juice frequently to provide the body with the essential nutrients.
7. Drinks For Diabetics – Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants and contains no calories so that it is one of the best drinks for diabetics. According to a recent study, chamomile tea has some beneficial impacts on glycemic control & serum lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients [6]. According to another study, regular consumption of chamomile tea may help to decrease blood sugar and prevent complications such as nerve and circulatory damage, blindness, and kidney disease. Besides, chamomile consists of anti-microbial and antioxidant agents, which help to reduce inflammation and decrease both cholesterol and cancer risk.
8. Drinks For Diabetics – Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
This great concoction helps to control blood sugar. In addition, it also helps to improve insulin sensitivity and suppress complex sugar activity after meals. Furthermore, it also aids in weight loss and metabolism. According to a study by researchers at the University of Arizona State, taking 20 g of ACV diluted in 40 g of water, with 1 tsp of saccharine, could reduce blood sugar after meals [7]. According to another study, before your bedtime, taking ACV helped to moderate blood sugar levels upon waking up [8]. You can consume a splash of ACV in one glass of water mixed with lime, cinnamon, and lemon for better flavor.
9. Drinks For Diabetics – Coconut Water
Basically, coconut water is enriched with several essential minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. Each cup of coconut water drink contains 0.1 mg riboflavin, 5.8 mg vitamin C, 57.6 mg calcium, 600mg potassium, 60 mg magnesium, 0.3 mg manganese, and 252 mg sodium. These nutrients, especially potassium and sodium, help to keep the fluctuations of blood sugar in check. In addition, this tasty drink is also helpful for keeping the levels of blood sugar in check, as it is high in fiber. A 2024 study found that mature coconut water remarkably attenuated oxidative stress and hyperglycemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [9]. Along with that, this drink also helps to widen the blood vessels, thus improving blood circulation. Therefore, it provides an instant relief against eliminating the symptoms as well as side effects of diabetes.
II. Drinks For Diabetic – The Worst Things To Avoid
Diabetic patients should avoid some certain drinks such as soda, sugary soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices because these drinks are full of hundreds of calories and high in sugar.
1. Worst Drinks For Diabetics – Energy Drinks
Energy drinks often contain the high level of caffeine, carbohydrates and refined sugar, which make it an unhealthy drink for diabetics. Besides, energy drinks are high in both carbohydrates and caffeine. According to a research, energy drinks cause insulin resistance and spike your blood sugar [10]. This can increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Besides, too much caffeine can lead to insomnia, result in nervousness and increase your blood pressure. Therefore, diabetic patients should avoid the energy drinks.
Read also: How to treat gestational diabetes naturally
2. Worst Drinks For Diabetics – Diet Soda
Generally, diet soda contains artificial sweeteners, which may affect the bacteria in the gut. As a result, this may raise insulin resistance, which can lead to or worsen diabetes. A study found that intake of diet soda increased a risk of metabolic syndrome [11]. Basically, this syndrome refers to various conditions such as high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides, high levels of cholesterol, high blood sugar levels and increased weight gain.
3. Worst Drinks For Diabetics – Alcoholic Beverages
According to a study in 2024, high alcohol consumption increased the risk of getting type 2 diabetes in men [12]. Excessive intake of alcohol actually reduces blood sugar levels while moderate intake of alcohol raises blood sugar levels. Beer and sweet wines are rich in the sugar content, which adds more glucose to your blood stream. You should check with a doctor to determine which alcoholic beverages are not dangerous for you to drink.
4. Worst Drinks For Diabetics – Sweetened Fruit Juices
Although fruit juices are full of health benefiting vitamins, it isn’t a healthy drink option for diabetics since even 100% fruit juices contains fruit sugar causing the sudden rise in levels of blood glucose which is not good for diabetic patients. Therefore, it is better to drink whole fruits instead that contain healthy fiber-rich carbs. Drink a juice that contains no added sugars and is 100 percent pure.
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You know all the best drinks for diabetics you should consume. Besides, you also know some of the worst drinks for diabetics you should avoid. So, if you are suffering from diabetes, you should choose the right drinks that are safe for your condition. Visit our main Health page to read more other such articles. Do you know other worst or best drinks for diabetics? Feel free to share with us by leaving a comment in the box below.
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