In the study, 21 adults diagnosed with prediabetes performed supervised exercise sessions of 60 minutes per day for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of exercise, the way nerve cells respond to insulin after eating glucose has changed.
This study also shows that exercise can help prevent or slow down the aging process of the brain, thereby helping to improve the ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
The effect of exercise on people with diabetes
Increased insulin sensitivity
Exercise helps the brain control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity, helping cells absorb and use glucose more effectively, trigging the release of proteins and chemicals in the brain to promote insulin activity, reducing the risk of diabetes and related complications. According to research published in the journal BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, after every 70 minutes of exercise, the insulin sensitivity of practitioners will increase by 35%.
Improve blood flow and reduce inflammation Research in the journal Clinica Chimica Acta has found that increased physical activity reduces the risk of increased levels of inflammatory biological markers.
Reduce stress
Another reason why exercise is effective for people with diabetes is that it helps reduce stress hormones such as cortisol, which can impair brain function. Frequent high-intensity stress can lead to high blood sugar levels. Regular exercise can help prevent cognitive decline, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
