Exercise & Sugar: When Sugar Can Be a Good Thing

Exercise helps to regulate blood sugar levels. When you exercise, your muscles use glucose for energy. This can help to lower your blood sugar levels during and after exercise. Exercise also helps to make your body more sensitive to insulin, the hormone that helps your cells to take up glucose from the blood. This can help to improve your blood sugar control over time.

Sugar can provide energy for exercise. If you are planning on doing a long or intense workout, it is important to have enough energy to fuel your activity. Eating a small amount of sugar before or during exercise can help to improve your performance and prevent fatigue.

Sugar can help to prevent muscle breakdown during exercise. When you exercise, your muscles break down glycogen, a stored form of glucose, for energy. If you do not have enough glycogen stored in your muscles, your body may start to break down muscle protein for energy. Eating a small amount of sugar during exercise can help to prevent muscle breakdown and improve your recovery afterwards.

Here are some specific examples of how exercise and sugar can benefit each other:

• Athletes often eat sports drinks during endurance events. These drinks contain sugar and electrolytes, which can help to maintain hydration and provide energy.
• People with diabetes may need to eat a small amount of sugar before or during exercise to prevent their blood sugar levels from dropping too low.
• People who are trying to lose weight may find that exercise helps them to burn more calories and sugar helps them to feel fuller after meals.

It is important to note that sugar should be consumed in moderation. Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health problems.

Here are some tips for using exercise and sugar to your advantage:

• Choose healthy sources of sugar, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Limit your intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.
• Eat a small amount of sugar before or during exercise to fuel your activity.
• Check your blood sugar levels regularly before and after exercise, especially if you have diabetes.
• Listen to your body and rest when you need to.