Drinking water helps sugar control

Drinking sufficient amounts of water and remain well hydrated may decrease the risk of developing high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia, a French study says.

The study of 3,615 people suggested that those who drink four or more glasses (about 2 liter) of water per day are less likely to develop high blood sugar.

The findings showed that while all the participants had normal blood sugar levels at the beginning of the study, those who drank more than 34 ounces (1 liter) of water per day were 21 percent less likely to develop hyperglycemia over the next nine years. 

Individuals with high blood levels of sugar, who do not fulfill the criteria for being diagnosed with diabetes, are considered to be at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke in a long run.

Controlling blood sugar at normal levels in these individuals, therefore, seems to be important in preventing their risk of developing such conditions.

There are more influential factors that affect people’s risk of developing these conditions, said lead author James R Gavin III from Emory University, US.

"Not drinking enough water could be similar to what we see in people who consume a lot of cholesterol."

Considering the fact that various unknown factors may have affected the results of this study, researchers emphasized that their finding only shows an association between the consumption of water and blood levels of sugar, rather than a cause and effect relation.

Based on their findings, researchers are planning to run an interventional trial to study the effects of increased daily water intake on blood levels of sugar in people who do not drink less amount of water.