Diabetes – not just a challenge when it comes to eating behavior

When it comes to diabetes, the first thing that comes to mind is an adapted diet, blood glucose monitoring and injections. But what about hydration? Particular attention should be paid to the intake of sufficient fluids, especially in the case of diabetes, as dehydration    med.: Volumenmangel der extrazellulären Flüssigkeit, u.a. des Blutplasmas – dem Körper wird weniger Flüssigkeit zugef... of the body poses particular risks for diabetics, which can have an impact on various areas of the body.

How much fluid do healthy people need?

For healthy people, a drinking quantity of 30-40 ml/kg body weight is recommended. This means that a person weighing approx. 70 kg should drink 1.5 – 2 liters of fluid per day to ensure smooth processes in the body and also to prevent obesity, for example. This is one of the main risk factors in the development of type II diabetes. Drinking sufficient calorie-free fluids such as water or mineral water not only aids digestion, but also activates the metabolism and fat-burning process, allowing the body to reach operating temperature. If the diabetes is not well controlled, the amount you need to drink can increase to up to six liters.

But what we drink is just as important as how much we drink. Water, mineral water or unsweetened tea is best. These provide the body with sufficient fluids, as well as minerals and trace elements in addition to food, without placing an additional burden on the metabolism. For people who suffer from diabetes, one of the most common metabolic diseases in Germany, it is important to take the special aspects of their disease into account, especially when it comes to their drinking behavior. .

Diabetes: maintain the insulin responsiveness of the cells by drinking sufficient fluids

Diabetes is characterized by a relative or absolute lack of insulin. A distinction is made here between congenital type I diabetes and acquired type II diabetes: if high blood sugar levels cause the kidneys to exceed their capacity to retrieve glucose, they excrete the excess glucose via increased urine production. The body becomes dehydrated, which becomes noticeable through an increased feeling of thirst, among other things.

At this point at the latest, you should drink plenty of fluids, because dehydration not only carries the risk of a deterioration in rheology. Rather, a reduced insulin sensitivity develops in the desiccated cells, the insulin effect decreases, the glucose concentration in the blood increases and a vicious circle begins. In the worst case, a hyperosmolar dehydration syndrome develops, which results in a shift in the fluid and electrolyte balance. In addition, the kidneys can be irreparably damaged by the enormous excretory capacity.

Sufficient fluids for diabetes

In order to prevent this from happening in the first place, it is essential for diabetics in particular to drink enough fluids in addition to good insulin control. Cells that are well hydrated in this way can react adequately to insulin, and the vicious circle of dehydration and excess glucose is not triggered in the first place. If you ever experience hypoglycemia, you can quickly remedy the situation with a sweetened drink and at the same time improve your fluid balance. Approx. 200 ml is recommended here. Fruit juice or a corresponding amount of a sugary soft drink. In a form already dissolved in liquid, the sugar is available to the body more quickly, which can react immediately and correct the hypoglycemia.

Dry skin: drinking enough can also help here

The altered metabolism caused by diabetes often leads to dry and itchy skin with impaired barrier function – pathogens of skin diseases such as bacteria or fungal spores have an easy time of it. To counteract these skin changes, only consistent care with suitable products will help. This keeps the skin supple and provides it with additional moisture from the outside. If you also drink enough per day, you also support the health of your skin. The tissue is better supplied with blood, the cells are sufficiently filled with fluid, the barrier function of the skin is maintained and pathogens find it much more difficult to find a suitable breeding ground.

Drinking enough also increases the viscosity of the blood. The resulting improved blood flow to the tissue can counteract the development of a diabetic foot, a dreaded complication of diabetes, which is partly caused by reduced blood flow to the lower extremities.

Routine even when drinking – LAQA’s Smart Cup helps!

As a diabetic, you are used to routines, measuring your blood sugar and, if necessary, balancing your diet. If you incorporate balanced drinking habits, i.e. the quantity and quality of drinks, into your daily routine, this can be a pillar of a healthy life despite diabetes. The SmartCup developed by LAQA can be a valuable addition to fluid management. It uses light, sound or vibration as a user-friendly reminder of fluid intake and automatically analyzes drinking habits. Diabetics in particular are familiar with the use of electronic everyday helpers, so the SmartCup from LAQA can be easily integrated into everyday routines and thus the development of a fluid deficit can be conveniently and reliably avoided.