254. Walking for a few minutes after a meal can improve your health
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Taking a short walk, even for as little as two minutes, can greatly reduce your blood sugar after a meal. In a new study published in the journal Sports Medicine, researchers in Ireland compiled the data from seven studies that compared the effects of sitting, standing or walking. They found that just a few minutes of light-intensity walking after a meal were enough to significantly improve blood sugar levels compared to sitting on the couch watching TV or working at your computer at the office. Even just standing for a few minutes was better than sitting. The optimal time to walk is within 60 to 90 minutes of eating. If you can’t walk near home or at work, then find some other way to be physically active, like doing housework.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
