5 drinks that diabetics should avoid

It is important that people with diabetes keep a strict watch on their diet. Since several foods and drinks contain carbs, sugars, and artificially sweetened agents, people with diabetes must exercise caution before choosing foods rich in artificial or added sugar. It is, therefore, important that the drinks for diabetics exclude sugary drinks that can raise the blood sugar levels and spike up the daily calorie intake. Here is a list of harmful drinks for diabetics that they must certainly avoid.

Regular soda
The American Diabetes Association ranks soda as one of the most harmful drinks for diabetes that should strictly be avoided. A single can of soda contains about 40gms of carbs and a whooping 150gms of calories. The sugary soda drinks also account for rapid weight gain, tooth decay, and high blood sugar levels. A good swap for soda can be fruit infused water or unsweetened herbal teas.

Energy drinks
While all energy drinks may claim to spike up your energy levels, it is important that to note that they are also full of caffeine and carbs. Many studies prove energy drinks to be a great cause of increasing your blood sugar and causing insulin resistance. People who do not have diabetes may also fall at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Sweetened fruit juices
While having fruit juices in moderation may not be so harmful, it certainly falls into the category of drinks for diabetics that is when best avoided. Sweetened fruit juices add a high percentage of carbs in the diet that can not only increase weight but also spike up the blood sugar levels in the body.

Alcohol
People with the tendency of high blood pressure or diabetes should avoid drinking alcohol as it may worsen the condition. To ensure that having alcohol would not affect your condition, it is recommended that you consult your doctor. While many studies prove that men who drink alcohol often have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes, other studies demonstrate that women who drink wine in moderation have reduced the risk of diabetes. However, more research needs to be done on the effects of alcohol on diabetes. Alcoholic drinks for diabetics, however, is certainly not a prudent choice as alcohol tends to dehydrate the body and dehydration spikes up blood sugar levels in the body.

Diet soda
While many studies find diet soda as one of the safe drinks for diabetics, it is important that you avoid them. Diet soda is known to have adverse effects in the gut and increase insulin resistance that may worsen diabetes. Other possible side-effects of having diet soda include increased blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, rapid weight gain, high blood sugar levels, and the like.