When blood sugar is elevated, choosing the right beverage can help avoid adding more glucose to the bloodstream. However, drinks alone cannot reliably bring dangerously high blood sugar back to a safe range. Treatment depends on the cause of the elevated glucose level, diabetes type, medications, hydration status, and the presence of symptoms.
Plain water is generally the best first choice when blood sugar is high.
Water contains no carbohydrates or added sugar and helps maintain hydration. High blood glucose can cause increased urination, which may contribute to fluid loss. Staying hydrated can therefore be important, although drinking excessive amounts of water will not directly "flush out" high blood sugar.
A practical approach is to drink water regularly rather than consuming a very large quantity at once.
People with kidney disease, heart failure, or a prescribed fluid restriction may need individualized fluid guidance.
Unsweetened sparkling water can be an alternative for people who dislike plain water.
Look for beverages with:
Flavored sparkling water can provide variety without the carbohydrate load of regular soda.
Unsweetened tea is another low-carbohydrate beverage.
Options include:
The key is to avoid adding sugar, honey, syrup, or sweetened creamers.
Tea itself does not treat diabetes or replace prescribed medication, but unsweetened varieties can be useful alternatives to sugary beverages.
Plain coffee generally contains very few carbohydrates.
However, many popular coffee drinks can contain substantial amounts of sugar and carbohydrates because of flavored syrups, sweetened creamers, whipped cream, and other additions.
For someone monitoring blood glucose, a simpler coffee may be preferable.
Caffeine affects people differently. In some individuals with diabetes, caffeine can influence blood glucose levels, so personal glucose responses may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Some diet or zero-sugar beverages contain little or no carbohydrate and therefore have less immediate effect on blood glucose than sugar-sweetened beverages.
Examples can include:
These products can be useful alternatives to regular soda, but water remains a straightforward everyday choice.
When glucose is elevated, beverages containing large amounts of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates can make the situation worse.
Regular soda can contain a large amount of added sugar in a relatively small serving.
Fruit juice may seem healthier than soda, but it can contain significant amounts of naturally occurring sugar without the fiber found in whole fruit.
Sweetened tea can contain substantial added sugar.
Energy drinks can contain large amounts of sugar, along with caffeine and other stimulants.
Flavored lattes, frappes, and other specialty coffee beverages can contain considerable carbohydrates.
Sports drinks may be useful in specific situations involving prolonged intense exercise or significant fluid and electrolyte loss, but they can contain added sugars that are unnecessary for routine hydration.
Unsweetened lemon water can be a reasonable choice.
Adding a small amount of lemon to water does not provide enough carbohydrate to significantly raise blood glucose for most people.
The benefit is primarily that lemon can make water more appealing and may encourage fluid intake.
Lemon water should not be considered a treatment for hyperglycemia.
Apple cider vinegar is sometimes promoted online as a way to lower blood sugar.
Research has investigated vinegar and glucose regulation, but it should not be considered a substitute for diabetes medication, insulin, diet planning, or medical care.
Drinking concentrated vinegar can also irritate the mouth, throat, and digestive system and may damage tooth enamel.
If blood sugar is repeatedly elevated, addressing the underlying diabetes management issue is more important than relying on vinegar drinks.
Milk contains lactose, a naturally occurring carbohydrate, so it can raise blood glucose.
This does not mean milk must automatically be avoided. The amount consumed and the overall meal or snack matter.
For someone counting carbohydrates, milk should generally be included in the carbohydrate calculation.
Unsweetened plant-based beverages may contain fewer carbohydrates, but nutritional content varies by product. Checking the nutrition label is important.
Electrolyte drinks can be useful in certain circumstances, especially when significant fluid or electrolyte losses occur.
However, many traditional electrolyte beverages contain sugar.
For someone with high blood glucose, a low- or zero-sugar electrolyte drink may be more appropriate when electrolyte replacement is actually needed.
People with kidney disease, heart disease, or fluid restrictions should ask a healthcare professional before substantially increasing electrolyte beverages because sodium, potassium, and fluid requirements can vary.
High blood glucose can cause the kidneys to remove more glucose through urine. This can increase urination and contribute to dehydration.
Signs of dehydration can include:
Drinking water can help address dehydration, but it does not correct the underlying cause of significant hyperglycemia.
A very high glucose reading should not be managed only by changing beverages.
Depending on the diabetes treatment plan, the appropriate response may include:
People who use insulin should follow the correction-dose instructions provided by their diabetes care team rather than improvising an insulin dose.
People with type 1 diabetes are particularly vulnerable to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), although DKA can occur in other circumstances as well.
Ketone testing may be recommended when blood glucose is significantly elevated, particularly during illness.
The American Diabetes Association recommends checking ketones when glucose is high or when symptoms of DKA are present, according to the individual's diabetes management plan.
DKA is a medical emergency.
Warning signs can include:
If these symptoms occur with high blood glucose or elevated ketones, urgent medical attention is needed.
Seek urgent medical care for severe symptoms such as:
Very high blood glucose accompanied by these symptoms can indicate a serious complication such as DKA or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.
For routine hydration when blood sugar is elevated:
Best everyday choice: Water
Other low-carbohydrate choices: Unsweetened tea, plain coffee, and unsweetened sparkling water
Use caution with: Milk, electrolyte drinks, and flavored beverages
Generally limit: Regular soda, fruit juice, sweet tea, energy drinks, and sugary coffee beverages
The best choice can vary depending on diabetes treatment, kidney function, medications, and other health conditions.
When blood sugar is too high, water is generally the simplest and safest beverage choice for routine hydration. Unsweetened tea, unsweetened sparkling water, and plain coffee can also provide alternatives without adding substantial carbohydrates.