According to the National Institutes of Health, as of October 2022, approximately 34.2 million people are living with diabetes in the United States and another 88 million have prediabetes. 

Staying active is essential for all adults, especially those with diabetes or prediabetes. In fact, exercise is one of the most effective strategies for blood glucose management, per a 2019 review published in the Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. So how can people with diabetes stay hydrated when traditional sports drinks are often loaded with added sugar?

Here we look at the best hydration drinks for people with diabetes and ones to avoid, with advice from Dr. Mitzi Rubin, a board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine and Medical Director at Wellstar Center for Best Health and Meghan Duffy, Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Omada Health.  

Proper hydration is extremely important for everyone. Hydration impacts our health at the cellular level, supports adequate brain function, regulates internal body temperature, transports nutrients in our bloodstream and breaks down lipids in our bodies. Staying hydrated is especially important for those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. 

When the body is not adequately hydrated, symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the level of dehydration.