Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for overall health—especially when it comes to blood sugar balance. What many people don’t realize is that what you drink before bed can influence how your body manages blood sugar overnight, how well you sleep, and even how often you wake up to use the bathroom.
Below are seven simple bedtime drinks that may help support steadier blood sugar levels, encourage relaxation, and promote more restful sleep.
Why Blood Sugar Matters at Night
While you’re sleeping, blood sugar levels can sometimes dip too low. When that happens, the body releases stress hormones—especially cortisol—to bring blood sugar back up. The problem is that elevated cortisol can disrupt sleep and throw off blood sugar balance, creating a frustrating cycle: poor sleep worsens blood sugar control, and unstable blood sugar makes sleep harder.
High blood sugar can cause another issue as well. When glucose levels rise, the body tries to flush out the excess through urine, leading to frequent nighttime bathroom trips and dehydration. Dehydration can then concentrate blood sugar even further.
There’s also the “dawn phenomenon,” where cortisol naturally peaks in the early morning hours. For some people—especially those with insulin resistance—this can cause higher blood sugar readings upon waking.
The good news? Certain calming, low-sugar drinks before bed may help support overnight balance.
Key Takeaways
- Blood sugar can drop overnight, triggering cortisol release
- Cortisol may disrupt sleep and blood sugar balance
- High blood sugar can cause frequent nighttime urination
- Dehydration can worsen blood sugar control
- Morning cortisol spikes may raise blood sugar levels
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