These 3 Drinks Help Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced

They say you are what you eat. But, you are also what you drink?

It turns out that your choice of drinks can have a big impact on your health. Recent studies show that drinking just two to three sugary drinks a week can increase blood sugar levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“Our body digests sugary drinks more easily than other sources of carbohydrates, resulting in a rapid rise in blood sugar levels,” says Watche Zohrabyan, MD, an internist at Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Milford.

Ready to change your drink? One (or all) of these three drinks may help balance blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of future health complications, says Dr. Zohrabyan.

1. Water

Water indirectly lowers blood sugar by making us feel full.

“This ultimately reduces our intake of carbohydrates and sugars,” explains Dr. Zohrabyan. “Drinking more water will also improve blood circulation through our kidneys and filter out excess glucose (blood sugar) in our urine.”

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2. Unsweetened teas

Unsweetened teas contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower overall blood sugar levels.

“Green tea, in particular, lowers long-term markers of diabetes (called hemoglobin A1C) by reducing our body’s insulin resistance,” says Dr. Zohrabyan.

3. Black coffee

Drinking black coffee – in moderation – improves our body’s ability to metabolize sugar, lowering long-term blood sugar levels.

“However, too much caffeine can cause dehydration,” explains Dr. Zohrabyan. “When we are dehydrated, our body releases stress hormones that can cause blood sugar levels to rise.”

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Try to avoid these drinks

Stay away from these sweet options:

• Sports drinks: cause blood sugar spikes due to high carbohydrate levels.
• Diet soda: Increases insulin resistance and diabetes risk due to the artificial sweetener it contains.
• Fruit juices: The fructose in fruit juices has been strongly linked to insulin resistance and diabetes.
• Alcohol: Reduces insulin sensitivity and leads to low blood sugar when consumed in excess.

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Balancing blood sugar is important for everyone

“Blood sugar balancing helps maintain stable energy levels, balances our mood, reduces appetite, and promotes weight loss,” explains Dr. Zohrabyan. and mood imbalance.

Overall, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels reduces the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, strengthens our immune system, and improves cognitive function.

So, the next time you find yourself reaching for a Coke, remember, you are what you drink.