The Effect of Exercise on Blood Sugar Control in Women
Exercising control over blood sugar is one of the easiest ways to put the brakes on unwanted weight gain, and one of the easiest ways to maintain a stable blood sugar level is to engage in regular exercise. Women who exercise have generally lower blood sugar levels than those who do not, which over time leads to a reduction in body fat, keeping you that much closer to your ideal physique.
-
Blood Sugar
-
Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is your body's primary source of fuel. Blood sugar is released into the bloodstream following digestion of carbohydrates, with the level of increase corresponding to the speed at which the meal is digested. While some floating blood sugar is normally always present in the bloodstream, excess levels of blood sugar are carried into fat and muscle cells by insulin, where they are used for energy or storage.
Blood Sugar and Weight Control
-
As blood sugar either is spent for immediate energy or stored as fat, controlling excess levels of blood sugar is crucial to maintaining a healthy physique. Generally speaking, exercise lowers the level of sugar in the blood by providing a stimulus for which the floating energy can be immediately utilized. Thus, regular exercise can help lower blood sugar levels in women.
-
Impact of Exercise on Blood Sugar
-
Two factors influence the magnitude of effect that exercise will have on blood sugar: the duration of the activity and the intensity of the activity. More intense forms of exercise will have a greater impact on blood sugar levels, as the body requires additional energy to cope with current demands. For example, sprinting will affect your blood sugar to a greater extent than walking. Additionally, activities which take more time will cause the body to "spend" more blood sugar than shorter-lived bouts of training.
Power of Routine
-
According to the experts at Health.com, following a consistent exercise routine can help your blood sugar remain low, even hours after your training has ended. Thus, you should aim to partake in regular training rather than sporadic bouts of exercise. A good goal for a beginner would be to train at a moderate intensity (brisk walking or light jogging) for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Considerations
-
Although exercise can help keep your blood sugar in check, do not think that exercise can mitigate the effects of an otherwise unhealthy diet. Diet is the other major factor influencing blood sugar levels. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains are normally superior for keeping blood sugar levels low. Eliminate consumption of unhealthy foods such as sugary snacks, processed foods and refined flours to supplement your training regimen and keep your blood sugar tightly under control.
-
