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Effects of Exercise on Blood Glucose Levels

Diabetes can be effectively controlled by closely managing your diet and exercise to maintain a healthy blood sugar range. It should be monitored very closely to achieve the best benefit.

  1. Burning Glucose

    • Glucose is the sugar currently in your blood stream. Seady, maintained exercise for 30 minutes or more will burn through the sugar in your blood stream.

    Burning Stored Sugar

    • Higher intensity exercise, like bursts of vigorous exercise, actually releases stored sugars from fat cells (thus making you lose weight). This will also raise blood sugar temporarily.

    Importance of Testing

    • Diabetics should test their blood sugar before and after exercise to make sure that glucose is within manageable levels.

    Increased Metabolism

    • Continued exercise can serve to heighten the metabolism, which will burn more blood sugar during the day. This can serve to increase insulin sensitivity, but it may also result in lower readings. For that reason, blood sugar should be monitored closely.

    Hydrate Properly

    • Hydrate during exercise. Dehydration and high blood sugar levels can result in Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome or HHNS. To avoid this, hydrate and monitor blood sugar levels.

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