Several studies have shown that physical activity can help manage diabetes effectively. Being active improves insulin sensitivity, enabling better regulation of blood sugar levels. Regular physical activity also helps control blood sugar directly, preventing spikes and promoting stability.
At least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity workout per week is recommended for adults with diabetes to sustain good health. A new study has said that diabetes can be prevented altogether by engaging in regular physical activity, such as gardening, dancing, or going for brisk walks.
The study, published in The British Journal Of Sports Medicine, noted that those who engaged in more than an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise per day had a 74% lower risk of developing health issues compared to their peers.
Even if someone had a higher chance of developing certain health problems due to their genes, they still experienced the same advantages. Surprisingly, those with a high genetic risk who engaged in regular exercise witnessed an even greater reduction in their likelihood of falling ill compared to those with a low genetic risk who did not exercise, The Exponent reported.
“We are unable to control our genetic risk and family history. But this finding provides promising and positive news that through an active lifestyle, one can fight off much of the excessive risk for type 2 diabetes,” said the study senior author Professor Melody Ding of Sydney University.
The study is the first of its kind to establish that exercise counteracts the risk of diabetes, even in those who are genetically vulnerable.
The team from Australia monitored a group of 59,325 adults who were part of the UK Biobank–a database that contains extensive information about the genes and health of approximately half a million individuals.
At the beginning of the study, participants were equipped with wrist-worn accelerometers, and their progress was observed for a duration of up to seven years.
The study lists some…
Read the full article here
