Your body usually manages your blood sugar levels by producing insulin, which allows your cells to use the circulating sugar in your blood. However, multiple factors can impair blood sugar management and lead to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Blood sugar management is especially important for people with diabetes, as the condition may lead to limb and life threatening complications.
Here are 14 easy and evidence-backed ways to naturally lower blood sugar levels.
Exercise and movement throughout the day
Regular exercise and physical activity can help you manage your weight and increase insulin sensitivity. Increased insulin sensitivity means your cells can use the glucose in your bloodstream more effectively.
Exercise also helps your muscles use blood sugar for energy and muscle contraction.
If you have problems with blood sugar management, consider routinely checking your levels before and after exercising. This will help you learn how your body responds to different activities and keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high or low.
You can still benefit from shorter sessions even if you have trouble dedicating more time to exercise throughout the week. For example, try aiming for 10-minute exercise sessions 3 times a day for 5 days, with the goal of 150 minutes per week.
So-called “exercise snacks” also help prevent the damage that sitting for prolonged periods can do. Exercise snacks mean you break up your sitting time every 30 minutes for just a few minutes throughout the day. Some recommended exercises include light walking or simple resistance exercises, like squats or leg raises.
Other useful forms of exercise include:
