Top 12 Healthy Beverages for Diabetics

What Are Good Drinks For Diabetics

Whatever you eat, gets converted to sugars. The body derives energy from food in the form of glucose. Insulin plays a role in letting glucose enter the cells so that the cells can get energy. Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases caused when insulin is not produced at all, or the body does not use insulin properly.

As glucose does not enter the cells, it remains in the blood and results in high blood glucose. What makes it intimidating is its capability to damage kidneys, eyes, heart, and limbs.

Several studies indicate that, weight loss and exercise help manage blood sugar efficiently, slows the progress of type 2 diabetes and even get one off the medication.

Losing 1 gram of fat around the pancreas, whether by diet or surgery, can improve insulin function according to the research led by Professor Roy Taylor.

1. Detox Water

Detox water refers to fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, or herb infused water that helps in losing weight. Drinking adequate water increases Resting Energy Expenditure (REE). Drinking excess water, over and above the daily water intake especially before meals helps to reduce food intake. Dehydration causes increased levels of vasopressin that result in the liver, producing more blood sugar.

For diabetics, water infused with apple, cinnamon, blueberry, orange, aloe and grapefruit is a good choice.

Naringenin in grapefruit is known to burn fat and has the potential to arrest metabolic syndrome. Aloe vera which is known for its anti-diabetic effects can also be used.

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2. Whey Protein Drink

Whey wateris the watery portion of milk separated from cheese curds. Whey protein concentrate is found in whey water. Eating protein stimulates GLP-1, a hormone in the gut, to produce insulin.  Tel Aviv University study, published in Diabetologia showed that deadly post-meal glucose surges can be controlled by consuming whey protein drink before breakfast and meals. It improves the body's insulin and GLP-1 production response, comparable to any anti-diabetic drugs. Whey protein consumption before a meal can enhance insulin secretion and lower glucose surge in type 2 diabetes. 

3. Hot Chocolate Milk

It is known that high consumption of dairy products can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. A study by Dr Ulrika Ericson published in the journal Circulation showed that those who consumed most high-fat dairy products had a 23% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who ate less of high-fat dairy products. Dietary cocoa and dark chocolate are rich in flavanols which are known to pre-empt cardiovascular events in people who have metabolic syndrome. Add dark chocolate chunks to a cup of skimmed milk with a dash of cinnamon and a few drops of vanilla extract. Cinnamon itself has insulin-like activity.

4. Coconut Water

Coconut water is 94% water and has very low calories. It is nature’s own rehydrating drink. Coconut water contains potassium, vitamin B, electrolytes, amino acids, enzymes, and various plant hormones. Diabetics can  drink coconut water, if the blood sugar levels are normal.

5. Black Tea

Black tea has the highest levels of polysaccharides and regular intake of tea can lower the risk for developing stroke, and heart ailments in people with diabetes. Black tea compounds theaflavins and thearubigins have effects similar to insulin on FOXO1a and PEPCK which contribute to dysregulation of glucose synthesis in the liver. Black tea bags can be brewed in almond milk or soy milk.

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6. Chaas with Cumin and Turmeric

Chaas is made from yogurt. Also, spices like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon reduce blood glucose levels, improve insulin secretion.

In a study by Zare R published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice(2014), it was seen that the cumin group of obese women decreased their body fat percentage by 14.64% almost three times more than the non-cumin group, after 3 months trial. Cytokine molecules can cause inflammation in organs such as the islets of the pancreas and the heart.  It also increases insulin resistance in muscle and liver. Curcumin, which is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound found in turmeric reduces insulin resistance and prevents Type 2 diabetes.

7. Vegetable Smoothie

Leafy and green vegetables like spinach, cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and kale can be incorporated  to a smoothie. A greater intake of green leafy vegetables has been linked to reduction in risk for type 2 diabetes. In diabetes, oxidative molecules called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is three times more than normal owing to high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia). The chance of developing heart disease and stroke, is very high. Sulforaphane present in broccoli helps to protect heart blood vessels.

8. Tomato Juice

Tomato juice can be included in the diabetes drink diet. People with Type 2 diabetes have an impaired capability of converting the sugar in their blood into energy in their muscles. Exercise and bitter melon (Karela) activate AMPK in the muscle which mediates the movement of glucose transporters to the cell surface, to facilitate uptake of glucose from blood into body tissues. Bitter melon added to the vegetable smoothie in small proportion can add tang to the drink. It can be added to tomato juice too.

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9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Acetic acid, is the active ingredient in vinegar which has an antiglycemic effect. Acetic acid may alter the glycolysis/gluconeogenic cycle in liver, which may benefit diabetic individuals with high pre-meal fasting glucose. Add 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and consume it preferable before sleep.

10. Fruits, Berries Smoothies

Fruits contain fiber and are a wiser option than fruit juice. Pre-diabetic or diabetic can consume smoothie made from berries, strawberries and other low GI fruits. Yogurt and berry frozen desert can also be relished. There should be no added sugar. Grapefruit, pineapple have their own sweetness. Alternatively berry and milk shake is also an interesting combo.

11. Lemon Ginger Drink

Ginger is helpful in managing long-term blood sugar control and it reduces negative effect on the eyes due to diabetic condition. Steep grated or shredded ginger in hot water, and add lemon juice.

12. Herbal Tea

Traditionally herbs have been used to combat the diabetes menace. Common herbs for diabetes control are turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, garlic fig-leaf, holy basil, fenugreek, milk thistle, bay leaf and jamun, to name a few. Scour the shelves for herbal tea that incorporates some of these herbs or brew tea at home with turmeric and cinnamon.

Drinks to Avoid for Diabetics

• Regular soda
• Energy drinks
• Diet soda
• Sweetened fruit juices
• Alcohol, Ginger Ale

These have added sugar and get easily incorporated in blood, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes. Add very little or no sugar to the recommended drinks for diabetes condition.