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Getting Back on the “Water Wagon” – Hydration Is Important for Everyone

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By Kelly Kunik

2 min read

I’m not a fan of the hot temperatures that summer brings, and I’ve started increasing my water intake (I sort of fell off the "water wagon" in the spring), but I know how important hydration is for health, especially as a person living with diabetes.

Why is proper hydration important for people living with diabetes?

This is a great question and I’m so glad you asked! Staying hydrated is important for people with diabetes because:

  1. Without water, we cease to exist, and according to NASA, our bodies are made up of about 70 percent water and coincidentally, the planet we live in is also 70 percent water!1
  2. Hydration impacts our blood sugars in the best of ways. Drinking copious amounts of water combats high blood sugars to help us to keep our blood sugars in the target range.
  3. Drinking water helps keep our kidneys healthy. Being chronically dehydrated forces our kidneys to work overtime and store extra glucose that strains our kidneys.
  4. Staying properly hydrated helps our eyes, tissues, and joints stay lubricated.
  5. Drinking water helps the medications you take daily to work properly.

How much water should we drink daily?

According to the folks at the Mayo Clinic, it is recommended that men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water a day and that women should drink around 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day. As always, check with your doctor or clinician to determine what is best for you.2

Ideas to stay hydrated

Consuming the proper amount of water daily seems like a daunting task at first, because it is. However, dehydration can be problematic for people with diabetes. My advice is to start by drinking 16 ounces of water first thing in the morning. This means drinking a glass of water before your morning cup of coffee!

Another fun way to combat dehydration is to carry a 24-ounce water bottle with you everywhere you go. I personally love the metal reusable water bottles because they keep water colder for longer. Aim to refill the reusable bottle three times throughout the day, before dinner time.

It’s tough at first, but when you finally do it, you’ll be well on your way to staying hydrated and feeling good!

Do you drink enough water? What advice do you have for others? If not, what are the challenges to staying hydrated?

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