In most cases of type 2 diabetes, all that is required is a healthy diet and regular exercise. A balanced, low-fat diet that includes bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and fruit is the most fundamental treatment for type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is another important part of therapy since it boosts glucose consumption in the muscle and helps to keep blood sugar levels in check. In reality, several studies have also shown that physical activity, adequate nutrition, and frequent blood glucose monitoring can reduce diabetes diagnoses by up to 40%.
Consistent physical exercise, as many studies have shown, boosts the cells’ ability to absorb glucose, resulting in a rise in the number of insulin receptors. Cycling, in particular, has proven to be one of the best sports for people with diabetes since it is an effective modality that is repeated and steady. Because the bike stimulates 70% of our muscular mass in the lower limbs, it helps to combat this condition. And that’s not all. Cycling does have the benefit of being a non-aggressive sport with better muscle recovery rates and the ability to ride substantially larger areas than other sports.
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (Syddansk Universitet) examined the status of nearly 25,000 men and 28,000 women between the ages of 50 and 65 for several years and collected information on their lifestyle, particularly their level of physical activity and nutrition, for a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine. The study’s goal was to show that even a small daily commitment like cycling can help avoid diabetes.
The findings were clear: cycling lowers the likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes, and the more you pedal, the less likely you are to develop the disease, with benefits seen even at a late age, after 50 years. According to the study, persons who begin riding late (on average) had a 20% lower risk of diabetes. The health benefits of two-wheelers appear to be independent of other factors that may influence illness risks, such as nutrition and weight problems.