What happens to your blood sugar when you exercise in the afternoon

Exercise can help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and increase their insulin sensitivity, but the timing of exercise is also important.

Since the body becomes less sensitive to insulin as the day progresses, exercising later in the day can help the body respond better to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Is it better to train in the afternoon?

A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that afternoon exercise was associated with better blood sugar control.

“When people were active in the afternoon, this group had the greatest reduction in hemoglobin A1C, which is a marker of blood sugar control over three months. Plus, at the same time, they use fewer medications, so this is even more supportive of that,” said Roeland JW Middelbeek, MD, co-author of the study and a physician at the Joslin Diabetes Center.

However, don’t be discouraged if you only have time for morning workouts. Consistent Exercise is better than none at all, said Jason Ng, MD, clinical associate professor of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Should you exercise before or after a meal?

A 2018 study published in the journal Nutrients found that just 10 minutes of light exercise after a meal can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels.

Middelbeek said exercising after a meal could cause blood sugar levels to drop more quickly than not exercising at all.

“I would always encourage people to be active when it fits their lifestyle, when they can do it and make it a habit,” he added. “There might be an added benefit to doing this in the afternoon after a meal.”