Dead Sea Study for Diabetics

According to a study done by researchers and scientists from Ben Gurion University and Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva, Israel, floating in the Dead Sea for just 20 minutes may help diabetics lower blood sugar levels. 
In the experiment, 14 people with Type 2 diabetes, aged 18 to 65, showed a significant drop in blood glucose levels after sitting for 20 minutes in a pool of Dead Sea water.  Glucose levels dropped an average from 163 to 151 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) - 13.5 % - immediately afterwards.  Blood sugar dropped even low to 141.3 mg/dl after an hour' dip in the water.  (Oh,my, I've been to Dead Sea and an hour dip would turn your skin to prunes).  The bathing experience did not appear to have a negative effect on other blood test values such as insulin levels, cortisone hormones or c-peptide.  A control group of six healthy individuals did not register any changes in the blood sugar levels. 
Professor Shaul Sukenik, lead researcher at Ben Gurion University, described the result as promising and further confirmation of the studies of a drop in blood glucose level of diabetics who bathe in the Dead Sea will allow use of less medication.  The research team is broadening their studies to examine the effect of a daily dip (how long? 20 minutes?) in the Dead Sea across a three-week period.  The research findings were published in the journal of Israel Medical Association, HaRefua, August edition.