What's the best time to exercise to prevent diabetes? Harvard says.

Regular physical activity is key to a healthy life, but a recent study from Harvard University has identified that the time of day you exercise also directly influences the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

The research was conducted by Drs. Caiwei Tian and Chirag Patel of Harvard University, in collaboration with other specialists. To do so, they analyzed data from 93,095 people with no history of type 2 diabetes, with an average age of 62 , who are part of the UK Biobank.

For one week, participants wore an accelerometer on their wrist, which recorded daily physical activity at different times of the day.

The data were converted to a measure known as metabolic equivalent of task (MET), commonly used to assess a person's energy expenditure.

The findings indicate that exercising in the morning (between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.) or in the evening (between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.) is associated with a decreased risk of developing this chronic disease.

Specifically, each additional MET-h unit completed in the morning was associated with a 10% decrease in that risk, while activities performed in the afternoon were linked to a 9% reduction.

A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are key risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Staying active through regular exercise improves glucose metabolism, contributes to body weight control, and reduces the likelihood of developing this condition.

Now, thanks to this new research, we also know that the timing of exercise can be a determining factor in the benefits obtained.

Although evidence suggests that the greatest benefits are achieved by exercising in the morning or evening, researchers emphasize that any type of physical activity throughout the day contributes to preventing diabetes.

These results reinforce the importance of integrating exercise into your daily routine, prioritizing daytime hours to maximize its protective effects. Furthermore, it's important to always consult with an expert.

El Universal (Mexico) / GDA.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from El Universal (GDA), and reviewed by the journalist and an editor.