Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose). According to WHO, the global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. The WHO projects that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in 2030. Late diagnosis and lack of awareness often makes it difficult to manage diabetes. What can complicate diabetes management further are the myths surrounding the same. For someone without diabetes, a fasting blood sugar should be under 100 mg/dl. If your blood sugar levels are consistently more than that, then you must consult an expert and take necessary medications, if required. There is a lot that you can do at home to help manage diabetes better, one of the effective home remedies is drinking copper water.
(Also Read -How To Control Diabetes Naturally: 5 Remedies To Manage Your Sugar Levels)
Drinking water stored in a copper vessel has been an ancient practice in India. In fact, it is one of the oldest forms of water purification known to the country. It is said that storing water in a copper vessel creates a natural purification process. There are many benefits of drinking copper water. It possesses the capacity to kill microorganisms, molds, fungi, algae and bacteria that are present in the water. Not just that, storing water in a copper vessel overnight or at least for four hours helps your water leach onto some beneficial properties of copper.
(Also Read - 5 Vegetables You Must Include In Your Diabetes Diet)
Copper is an essential trace mineral required for the well-being of human health. Unfortunately, our body cannot synthesise copper on its own, which is why we need to have copper through our diet.
The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties present in copper help improves wound healing, immune function, development of red blood cells and skin cells, etc. Diabetics often complain about skin problems, inflammation and slow healing, and this is where copper water may prove helpful. If you couple copper with other essential nutrients like magnesium and manganese, it may help regulate surge in glucose levels too.
(Also Read - 7 Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Must Add to Your Diet)
According to Ayurveda, copper water or 'tamra jal' is replete with many benefits, from enhancing digestion to boosting skin health, fighting bacteria and inflammation. One of them is its effectiveness in managing diabetes. 'The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies' by Dr. Vasant Lad suggests drinking copper water as one of best remedies to manage the kapha type disorder and fire up the diminished agni (digestive fire) that is said to increase the tendency toward high blood sugar, "put one cup of water into a copper vessel at night, and drink the water in the morning," notes Dr. Vasant Lad.
(Also Read - 3 Simple Yoga Poses After Dinner That Can Boost Digestion)
Roshani Gadge, Diabetologist Consultant, Gadge Diabetes Centre says, "While there is no direct link established between copper and blood sugar levels, it has been observed that copper deficiency heightens the common symptoms of diabetes like glucose surge, inflammation, fatigue and slow healing. Therefore, it is believed that drinking water from a copper vessel may have some benefits. However, we may need more studies to find a conclusive link between copper and metabolising of sugar. Also, it is advised not to make any major alterations to your prescribed medicine and diabetic diet plans without consulting."
(Also Read - High Blood Sugar Levels Can Increase Your Blood Pressure)
Diabetes management is no cakewalk, but it is not an impossible feat. A healthy and proper diet with a fit lifestyle could help you manage your diabetes better. Make sure your diet has enough complex carbohydrates, fibre and low glycaemic index foods.