Why Exercise Improves Diabetes Control

Exercise Benefits

Doctors recommend people with diabetes perform daily aerobic exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes in order to boost cardiovascular health and keep a healthy weight. Plus, consistent moderate-intensity exercise helps your cells respond better to insulin. With a better insulin response, your cells use glucose from your blood more efficiently, so glucose readings are lower. Exercise also helps you lose body fat, which also improves insulin sensitivity.

Research is also uncovering the benefits of resistance training, which revs up your metabolism and builds lean mass and stronger bones. One eight-year study found that middle-aged women who exercised vigorously at least once a week had a one-third lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with sedentary women.

In addition, regular exercise reduces stress, improves concentration, and decreases appetite.