Spoiler: Carbs aren’t the only thing that can mess with your blood sugar levels.
But it plays an important role.
One of those things is hydration.
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What’s the link between dehydration and blood sugar?
Dehydration is a risk factor for hyperglycemia, especially among those living with diabetes.
Well, some of that water makes up your blood volume.
As a result, your blood sugar levels can rise, says Tambe.
Its secretion is impacted by hydration status.
For example, a study inDiabetes Carefound that vasopressin may also play a role in blood sugar regulation.
The researchers noted that this was mediated in part by the stress hormone cortisol.
It can cause glucose to be released into the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.
It did cause copeptin levelsan indirect measure of vasopressinto rise, though.
This makes sense, since increased thirst is another sign of hyperglycemia.
Plus, theCDCestimates that 23% of those living with diabetes are undiagnosed.
For those without a diabetes diagnosis, this may not be top of mind.
Dehydration and hyperglycemia share many symptoms in common, so it can be easy to mistake one for another.
Therefore, the concentration of sugar relative to the volume of your blood will be higher.
However, high blood sugar levels can also lead to frequent urination, whereas dehydration does the opposite.
