MINERAL WATER "DZUGURI" AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: SCREENING RESULTS

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the major public health issues worldwide causing a heavy burden on health systems and economies of many countries. In this regard, it is crucial to develop and implement low-cost interventions aimed to early prevention and effective management of DM (particularly T2DM). Various studies worldwide indicated positive effect of natural mineral waters on regulating blood glucose level. The present screening study aimed to: 1) learn how T2DM patients are aware about their disease, study their demographic, social-economic profile and behavior; and 2) explore the impact of Georgian spring mineral water "Dzuguri" on blood glucose level among T2DM patients. The study results indicated that a considerable large amount of T2DM patients suffer from various social-economic problems and experience limited access to healthcare services. More encouraging was their attitude toward healthy life-style and related behavior. Considering this context, another finding of the study was particularly significant: mineral water from spring "Dzuguri" demonstrated positive initial effect on regulating glucose level among T2DM patients. Consequently, similar studies should be continued in a larger scale with more robust methodology and covering more population from various regions of Georgia.