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Is Coconut Water Good for Diabetes?

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Is Coconut Water Good for Diabetes?

Gatorade and other sports drinks have long been used as a source of replenishing fluids and electrolytes following sickness and exertion. Although sports drinks are great for replenishing depleted vitamins and minerals, they can be extremely problematic for anyone sensitive to sugar, including men and women with diabetes.

Sugar, Diabetes, and Exercise

Sports drinks seem to be ubiquitous with sporting events, particularly when children are involved. While these drinks’ availability is undoubtedly coming from a place of concern, the reality of high sugar levels is often ignored, and drinks are handed out to children without regard for the ingredients aside from electrolytes.

Although this is usually not a problem, diabetic children might run into some trouble if they drink a lot of electrolyte liquids filled with sugar. Coconut water is unique, in that it replaces lost electrolytes without a hefty sugar and calorie content.

When you exercise, your body runs the risk of losing vitamins and minerals through your sweat. Although eating and drinking may be able to replace these vitamins and minerals thoroughly enough, sports drinks provide a quick and efficient way to replace anything lost without having to worry about getting to a quick snack or meal. For people with diabetes, a quick jolt of sugar following exercise could cause dangerous blood sugar spike or a dangerous drop after the drink wears off. Coconut water contains the vitamins and minerals without the added worry of excessive sugar.




Is Coconut Water Necessary?

Most studies show that simply drinking water will provide enough hydration and electrolyte replacement to fulfill the void left by exercise or exertion, so coconut water is not an absolute necessity when working out or spending a lot of time in the sun. Instead of being a necessary staple in your pantry, coconut water is an excellent substitute for Gatorade and other sports drinks, without providing a massive hit of sugar.

If you (or your children) are used to consuming sports drinks, coconut water may be a great substitute to give the boost needed to continue exercising or replenish fluids, without running the risk of upsetting or inflaming a diabetic response. It is also a low-carbohydrate drink, which makes it a great choice for people with diabetes, as it does not force a dramatic shift in blood sugar levels or hunger

References

Diabetes Self Management. Accessed 7/9/17.