Diabetes type 2 sufferers could lower their blood sugar by walking for 12 minutes, a diabetes expert has claimed.
Dr David Cavan, a diabetes consultant with over 20 years experience and published author, said sufferers “underestimate the impact of exercise”.
“At the diabetes centre we do a gentle walk for 12 minutes to reduce blood sugar levels,” he told Express.co.uk this week.
“Simple exercises such as going for a walk, jogging or swimming can all help to lower blood sugar levels.
“Walking from just 10 to 15 minutes can have an effect,” he continued.
Gentle exercises “sometimes” lower the amount of sugar in your blood, said Healthline.
“Regular exercise can help you lose weight and increase insulin sensitivity,” said the US-based medicinal website.
“Increased insulin sensitivity means your cells are better able to use the available sugar in your bloodstream.
“Exercise also helps your muscles use blood sugar for energy and muscle contraction.
“If you have problems with blood sugar control, you should routinely check your levels,” they continued. “This will help you learn how you respond to different activities and keep your blood sugar levels from getting either too high or too low.”
Dr Cavan also recommended diabetes type 2 sufferers should be careful with high intensity exercises.
“Overexercise, or very vigorous exercise, may actually make blood sugar levels go up,” he said.
“This is because adrenaline is released by the body, which encourage the release of more sugar, pushing levels up.
“If you’re exercising to keep blood sugar levels down then you need to do more moderate exercise.”
Exercises he singled-out which are unlikely to help sufferers include weight lifting or exercises involving intensive bursts of activity.
The Diabetes Council, an advice body for sufferers, said people with diabetes type 2 should aim to consume 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrate in each meal, and snacks containing 15 to 30 grams of the substance each day.
“Giving your body a steady amount of carbohydrates will provide a stable amount of energy,” they said.
“Carbohydrates need to be consistent,” they continued.
“You don’t want to eat all of your daily carb count in one meal. That will cause your blood sugar to spike, and then drop during the other meals.
“The easiest way to make sure that your carb intake is appropriate is to count carbohydrates.”