Sport and exercise are not only good for general health in people with or without diabetes, but also have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels.
Which sports are particularly recommended? What should you pay attention to, and how does exercise affect your blood sugar? Find the answers here!
How does exercise affect blood sugar?
Exercise has a direct and positive impact on blood sugar levels. During physical activity, your muscles use energy, and for this, they require sugar from the blood. This leads to a drop in blood sugar levels after exercise. Regular exercise also improves insulin sensitivity, allowing the body to use insulin more efficiently.
But exercise doesn't just have a positive impact during training. Regular exercise can also help you better control your blood sugar in the long term. Studies show that exercise can help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and reduce the need for medication.
In type 1 diabetes, regular exercise can help to better control insulin intake.
However, it's very important to listen to your body! During more intense workouts, blood sugar can drop even further after exercise, especially if the activity lasts longer. Therefore, it's important to monitor your blood sugar even after your workout!
What do you need to pay attention to when exercising with diabetes?
Before you start exercising, there are a few things you should keep in mind to optimally control your blood sugar:
- Check your blood sugar: It's advisable to check your blood sugar before exercise. A blood sugar level that's too low or too high can negatively impact your performance and, in the worst case, be hazardous to your health. If your blood sugar is too high or too low, wait to exercise until it's within your target range.
- Insulin and medications: Special care is required if you are taking insulin or other medications. Exercise can increase the effect of insulin and cause blood sugar to drop rapidly. You may need to adjust your dose before exercise. However, this should always be done in consultation with your doctor.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Physical activity causes you to sweat more and lose fluids. Make sure you drink enough during exercise to avoid dehydration, which can also affect your blood sugar.
- Bring snacks: Especially during more intense workouts, blood sugar can drop significantly during exercise. Therefore, always remember to bring a small snack, such as glucose tablets, a banana, or a sugary drink, to prevent possible hypoglycemia. At Zuckerschmuck, you can find glucose tablets in liquid form or as gums, which you can consume quickly during exercise: https://zuckerschmuck.com/collections/traubenzucker
Which sports are good for diabetes?
Incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine can help you and your diabetes. Here are some gentle but effective ways to keep moving.
- Walking: A brisk walk can work wonders. It's a great way to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. A brisk 30-minute walk is enough to achieve positive effects.
- Cycling: Cycling is a low-impact activity that stimulates circulation and can stabilize blood sugar. Make sure you cycle regularly and at a moderate pace for best results.
- Swimming: Swimming is ideal if you want to protect your joints while still getting your circulation going. The combination of exercise and relaxation helps reduce stress and reduce blood sugar fluctuations.
- Yoga and Pilates: Yoga and Pilates not only keep you moving. They also promote flexibility and body awareness, as well as mental calm.
The most important thing is to find a sport that you enjoy, because that's the only way you'll stick with it in the long run.
Our belly bands from Zuckerschmuck are ideal for safely storing your insulin pump or reader while exercising.
Available in different colors and sizes, they offer you safety and freedom of movement!
For example this one ---> Belly band for insulin pump + reader "BLACK" for ADULTS L – sugar jewelry
Or a colorful alternative ---> Belly band for insulin pump + reader "PASTELL" for ADULTS L – sugar jewelry
Of course also available for children ---> Belly band for insulin pump + reader "Turquoise" XS (Kids 2-8 years) – Sugar jewelry
Conclusion: Exercise for diabetes:
Sport and exercise not only help control blood sugar but also promote overall well-being and health. With proper preparation and choosing a suitable sport, you can safely and effectively integrate physical activity into your daily routine. Be sure to listen to your body and adjust your insulin or medication settings if necessary.
With regular exercise and conscious blood sugar monitoring, you can use sport as an ally in dealing with diabetes!
