10 Things That Happen to Your Body If You Walk Every Day

5. Beneficial effects on the pancreas

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While running is often touted for its fitness benefits, surprising research has revealed that walking as an exercise may actually prove more valuable in preventing diabetes than its higher-intensity counterpart. The study found that over a 6-month trial period, a group of participants who walked for exercise demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in glucose tolerance compared to a group who ran. Glucose tolerance refers to how efficiently the body's cells are able to absorb glucose from the bloodstream in response to insulin. Poor glucose tolerance is a key risk factor for developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The study's findings indicated that the walking group experienced an improvement in glucose tolerance measures nearly 6 times greater than the running group over the 6-month program. There are a few potential reasons why walking may convey more benefits for glucose metabolism and diabetes prevention: Walking constitutes a moderate, steady-state form of exercise that can be sustained for longer durations compared to running's higher intensity. This allows glucose to be continuously metabolized over an extended period. The lower impact of walking reduces stress on joints and muscles, enabling easier recovery and more frequent activity for some individuals. Walking minimizes spikes in counter-regulatory hormones like cortisol that can impair glucose control when produced in excess during intense exercise. The lower intensity allows walking to be accessible to a wider range of fitness levels, including those overweight or obese who are at higher diabetes risk. While running provides many health benefits, this research highlights that substantial glucose regulation and diabetes prevention may be better achieved through moderate, higher-volume exercises like walking. Incorporating a consistent walking routine could be a simple yet powerful way to improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic fitness over time.