Introduction by 99 Health Network: Can diabetics also achieve health and wellness simply by drinking water? It's often said that "women are made of water," but in fact, for every individual, we can say that we are all "made of water." Approximately 70-80% of the human body is composed of water, so drinking water plays a positive role in our health. For ordinary people, this is true, but for diabetic patients, it’s even more important to pay attention to staying hydrated.
According to relevant material analysis and statistics, one to two out of ten diabetic patients experience worsening conditions due to improper water intake. Over time, many diabetics mistakenly believe that their frequent thirst and urination symptoms are caused by drinking too much water. They think that by reducing water intake, they can control these symptoms, so they blindly restrict their fluid consumption, refusing to drink water or drinking as little as possible even when thirsty. While it may seem on the surface that the symptoms of excessive thirst and urination have decreased, the condition worsens due to reduced blood volume and increased blood sugar levels.
### Health Benefits of Drinking Water for Diabetic Patients
If diabetic patients do not drink enough water, it can lead to insufficient water in the body. To maintain normal circulation, ensure respiration, sweat, and urination, the body will absorb water from the intestines, causing constipation. Lack of water in the blood can increase blood viscosity, leading to poor blood circulation, damage to the vascular endothelium, and cause vasculitis.
Poor blood circulation makes small, sensitive blood vessels, such as those in the eyes, prone to blockages, potentially leading to diabetic retinopathy. Encouraging patients to drink water consciously can help treat diabetic retinopathy. Adequate hydration keeps the blood clean and flowing, helping to eliminate blood clots and aiding in the relief of diabetic retinopathy.
Additionally, drinking more water helps diabetics replenish lost fluids, improves blood flow, promotes circulation, increases metabolism, and eliminates ketones. This is a protective response to dehydration in the human body. Since diabetic patients have relatively or absolutely insufficient insulin and are in a state of high blood sugar, it stimulates the thirst center in the hypothalamus, causing thirst. Drinking water can lower plasma osmotic pressure or restore it to normal, which helps reduce blood sugar levels and relieve thirst.
### Recommended Drinks: Soy Milk and Milk Are the Best Hydrating Beverages
How should diabetic patients drink water? What are the tips for drinking water? Let’s take a look at what the experts say:
1. **Day and Night**: Whether during the day or night, it’s necessary to replenish water. During the day, especially in summer, sweat and urine are constantly excreted, and drinking water helps replenish them. At night, with less physical activity, water moves into the abdomen, causing the need to use the bathroom 2-3 times. The standard for drinking water at night is to drink an equal amount of water after urinating.
2. **Exercise Outdoors**: Diabetics should always carry enough water when exercising outdoors. However, drinking only water is not enough because it will quickly be expelled through sweat and urine. Adding a small amount of salt to the water can effectively ensure adequate hydration. Therefore, diabetics should develop the habit of drinking light saltwater to replenish lost fluids.
3. **Don’t Wait Until You’re Thirsty**: If patients wait until they feel thirsty to drink water, it’s already too late. The body must reach a certain level of dehydration before feeling thirsty, and mild dehydration may not necessarily cause obvious thirst.
4. **Daily Water Intake**: Diabetics should consume about 2500 milliliters of water daily, part of which comes from food, while the rest (1600 to 2000 milliliters) should come from external water sources (about 8-10 glasses of 200 milliliters each). Suitable drinks for diabetics include plain boiled water, light tea, mineral water, and other sugar-free beverages. Sugary drinks like cola and Sprite are not recommended.
5. **Drink More Water in Certain Situations**: When consuming protein-rich foods, engaging in intense exercise, sweating heavily, or taking a bath, it’s important to drink more water.
6. **Milk and Soy Milk**: These are excellent choices for diabetics to hydrate. Drinking milk and soy milk daily can improve calcium deficiency. Soy milk contains dietary fiber, making it more suitable for obese diabetics with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
### Conclusion:
The benefits of drinking water for diabetic patients mentioned above should be well understood. Drinking water properly is beneficial for managing diabetes and maintaining overall health.
(Edited by Fan Xuejiao)
This article is sourced from: Lonely King: Why Employees Don't Tell the Truth_23808; Career Path: Five Mindsets That Hinder Career Growth_8769; Social Capital Illuminates the Future_23877