Diabetes risk. A cool finding just hit the block: walking faster might slash your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, says the first-ever global study of its kind.
The Diabetes Threat
Type 2 diabetes is no joke – it’s a major health concern worldwide, and its numbers have shot up like crazy in the last 30 years. The World Health Organization’s got the stats: over 537 million people are diagnosed, but there could be millions more who don’t even know they’ve got it. This condition can cause serious stuff like blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and even lower limb amputation. Yikes!
Speed Walking and Diabetes
We’ve known for ages that walking is good for keeping type 2 diabetes at bay. But here’s the new scoop: walking faster might be the secret sauce. Scientists from Imperial College London, the University of Medical Sciences in Iran, and Oslo New University College in Norway did some digging. They checked out 10 studies from 1999 to 2022, including more than half a million adults from the UK, Japan, and the US.
The Need for Speed
Here’s the juicy bit: folks who strutted at more than 3km/h had a lower chance of getting type 2 diabetes. But wait, it gets better! If you revved up to more than 6km/h, your risk dropped by a whopping 39%. That’s some speedy protection!
Walk the Talk
Now, the research isn’t perfect. Some studies had their quirks, and speed walkers might generally be fitter and healthier. But here’s the thing – faster walking hints at better health overall. It shows off good heart and muscle strength, which are buddies with a lower diabetes risk. Plus, brisk walking is a pro at weight loss, which helps your body handle insulin better.
Welcome News
Diabetes UK’s Neil Gibson is all thumbs up about this news. He says, “Yep, being active, like walking fast, can dial down your chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Stepping up the pace might even boost the benefits!”
Walking Wonders
He’s all for more research to confirm how much zooming up your walking speed can really dial down that diabetes risk. But the best part? Walking doesn’t cost a dime, it’s easy peasy, and most folks can fit it into their daily routine. Gibson says, “Sure, going faster might amp up the health perks, but hey, walk at a pace that feels good for you.”
So, in a Nutshell
Speed walking isn’t just about looking sporty on the sidewalk – it could be your ticket to dodging type 2 diabetes. The research says faster steps could be your secret weapon against this health buzzkill. Keep strolling and maybe pick up the pace a bit for some extra health magic!
