Walking for a few minutes after a meal could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
- In France, diabetes affects men more frequently than women, except in overseas territories. In 2020, one in five men aged 70 to 85 and one in seven women aged 75 to 85 were being pharmacologically treated for diabetes
- More than 4.5 million people in France have diabetes, but around 1 million of them are unaware of it, according to Santé Publique France.
- Diabetes is “one of the world’s leading killers”, along with high blood pressure and smoking, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The “small digestive walk” would have more virtues than you think… Reduction of blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, boost of cognitive functions, reduction of stress, or even weight regulation: walking is , obviously good for health.
A new study, published in the journal Sports Medicineeeven confirms that stretching your legs for a few minutes after a meal can protect us from the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And for good reason: walking after a good meal helps the body regulate its blood sugar, namely its level of glucose/sugar in the blood, too high in diabetics.
Seven dissected studies
To reach this conclusion, researchers at the University of Limerick, Ireland, compiled seven studies analyzing the links between activity after the evening meal and indices of cardiovascular and metabolic health.
In detail, participants had to stand or walk for between two and five minutes, every 20 to 30 minutes, over the course of a day. Scientists observed that their blood sugar levels increased after dinner, but gradually came down thanks to walking. Logic: during physical activity, the muscles draw on the glucose available in the blood.
At least 1 hour after the meal
If, according to the researchers, the ideal is a 15-minute walk, even a short walk of two to five minutes would thus obtain results. As for the opportune time to start walking, it is between 60 and 90 minutes after a meal, when blood sugar levels are at their peak and the muscles absorb a maximum of sugar.
According to scientists, in fact, it is by avoiding peaks and losses in blood sugar that we limit the risk of long-term onset of type 2 diabetes. As a reminder, this disease, which affects more than 4.5 million people in France, according to the European Center for the Study of Diabetescan cause strokes and high blood pressure.
Note that if walking is not your forte, you can replace it with another low-intensity activity, such as gardening or cleaning. The main thing is to move regularly after dessert!