Exercising at night more effective for controlling blood sugar and diabetes: Study

Getting physically active in the afternoon or evening, ideally between noon and midnight, may be better at helping to control blood sugar than morning exercise, a new study shows.

The new study was conducted in the Netherlands and published November 1, 2022, in the journal Diabetologia.

The study found that those who exercised in the afternoon experienced an 18% decrease in insulin resistance, and activity in the evening was correlated with a 25% reduction in insulin resistance.

Activity spread throughout the day or activity only performed in the morning appeared to have no impact on liver fat content and insulin resistance, while afternoon and evening physical activity did.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity rates have tripled worldwide since 1975. The connection between obesity and insulin resistance is bidirectional. Insulin resistance often develops due to being overweight or obese, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Since type 2 diabetes can be a costly disease to treat, contribute to many health issues, and even be fatal, researchers are interested in learning about different ways to improve insulin resistance.

Some medical conditions can impact the body’s ability to produce or respond well to insulin, including type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when a person’s body produces little or no insulin. Doctors usually diagnose this form of diabetes earlier in life, and there is no cure.

Someone who develops insulin resistance may be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes is more common in middle-aged and older people. Type 2 diabetes is also more prevalent in people who are either overweight or have obesity, and they can manage it through medications, diet, and exercise.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes can go into remission with lifestyle changes in some cases, including substantial weight loss.

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