If you’re working on keeping your blood sugar balanced, what you drink before bedtime matters more than you might think. The right nighttime beverage can help prevent sleep disruptions, support hydration, and even help you avoid those early morning sugar spikes. Here’s how it works—and which drinks to try tonight.
Why Blood Sugar Drops (or Spikes) at Night
Your blood sugar can actually drop while you’re sleeping. In response, your body releases cortisol—a stress hormone that brings blood sugar back up. High cortisol, though, can disrupt your sleep and make it harder to manage your blood sugar overall. Poor sleep and blood sugar swings often go hand in hand.
If your sugar is too high at night, your body will try to flush out the excess through urine. This leads to waking up to pee, dehydration, and even more concentrated blood sugar. There’s also the “dawn phenomenon,” where natural cortisol spikes around 8 a.m. can push your sugar higher—even if you didn’t eat anything sugary the night before.
Here’s What You Need to Remember
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Blood sugar drops can cause your body to release cortisol and disturb sleep.
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High blood sugar means frequent bathroom trips and dehydration.
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Poor sleep and blood sugar swings feed off each other.
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Morning spikes (the “dawn phenomenon”) are common, especially in people with diabetes.
7 Drinks to Help Stabilize Blood Sugar and Improve Sleep
Try one of these drinks before bed for a gentler night and steadier morning.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar with Cinnamon
Mix 1–2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and add a dash of cinnamon. This combo may help balance your blood sugar as you sleep.
2. Chamomile Tea
Not only does chamomile help you relax, it’s shown to help lower cortisol and protect the cells in your pancreas that make insulin.
3. Golden Milk
Warm milk with turmeric and ginger (plus a little black pepper for absorption) is a classic calming drink. Curcumin in turmeric and the zing of ginger both support balanced blood sugar.
4. Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe isn’t just for sunburn—its juice can help support your pancreas and healthy insulin production.
5. Berberine Tea
Berberine, found in some herbal teas, works similarly to the diabetes medication Metformin (without the side effects). It’s a gentle way to support blood sugar overnight.
6. Sugar-Free Electrolyte Drinks
Electrolytes like magnesium and potassium are crucial for blood sugar stability and muscle relaxation. Choose a sugar-free formula, or make your own with water and a pinch of salt.
7. Salt Water
It may sound counterintuitive, but a pinch of salt in water before bed can help your body stay hydrated, reduce stress hormones, and support steady blood sugar levels.
Just That
Experiment with these drinks and see which ones help you feel calmer, sleep more deeply, and keep your blood sugar steady all night. Sometimes, a small evening habit can make a big difference by morning.