Getting active can make a significant difference for people living with diabetes, helping them lower their blood sugar levels and improve their body's response to insulin.
But physical activity also works wonders for blood pressure, making it a brilliant two-for-one health benefit.
Dawn Menning, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with Nutu, a healthy lifestyle app, told GB News that the right combination of exercises can deliver these improvements.
Another factor many don't realise is that when you exercise can matter just as much as what you do.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Mixing different types of exercise throughout the week can boost health benefits
|GETTY
When it comes to the best activities for tackling insulin resistance and high blood pressure, moderate-to-vigorous options come out on top.
Menning told GB News: "Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, water aerobics, or tennis (singles), can reduce blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity along with providing other health benefits."
So how much exercise should you aim for each week?
The target is 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, or if you prefer something more intense, 75 minutes of vigorous exercise does the trick.
You can also mix both types throughout the week to hit your goals.
Both aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activities are recommended for keeping blood pressure in check.
Strength training is particularly good for improving how your body handles insulin.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Menning advised undertaking resistance work or weight training at least two days per week to see real benefits.
But for those managing high blood pressure alongside other health conditions, it's worth having a chat with your doctor first.
"People with high blood pressure, along with other conditions, should talk to their healthcare provider to determine if there are any limitations to doing any specific activities," Menning said.
The timing of your workout is also worth considering for blood sugar control.
Because the body becomes less responsive to insulin as the day progresses, working out later in the day may actually help it cope better with changing blood sugar levels.
Getting active after a meal might lead to a faster drop in blood sugar
|GETTY
A 2018 study in the journal Nutrients found that just 10 minutes of gentle exercise after eating can help people with type 2 diabetes reduce their blood sugar.
It was noted that getting active after a meal might lead to a faster drop in blood sugar compared to staying sedentary, pointing to added benefits with afternoon workouts.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter