Checking out the stand-ups, watching a comedy show, and laughing with friends might be the healthiest thing you can do this weekend.
That’s because laughter has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. This could be much higher than the Easter chocolate festival.
For many people, devouring chocolate gives them a burst of energy and can even make them feel nervous or lightheaded.
This is the result of sugar rushing into the bloodstream and a spike in blood sugar, usually followed by an energy crash.
Besides making you feel tired and hungry, recurring sugar spikes and crashes have been linked to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, pre-diabetes, and ultimately type 2. May lead to diabetes.
“When we eat something, especially something high in sugar like an Easter egg, our blood sugar spikes,” he says. Dr. Nikki KeyHormone Expert and Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Medicine, University College London.
Insulin is released to lower blood sugar levels by allowing sugar to leave the bloodstream and enter the body’s cells where it can be used as energy. It sends a signal to the liver.
“But you can make insulin’s job easier by doing things that help bring blood sugar levels back into healthy ranges quickly,” she says.
“We know that exercise is one of these movements because active muscles require glucose for energy. It works.
A Japanese study confirms that laughter is the best medicine when you eat too many sweets.
In 2003, Dr. Keiko Hayashi of the University of Tsukuba gave two groups of volunteers, diabetic and non-diabetic, the same diet and watched a 40-minute lecture. She then repeated the same process, but this time she watched 40 minutes of comedy.
Their blood sugar levels were tested after both activities and it was found that both groups had significantly lower blood sugar levels after the comedy show compared to after the lecture.
why is that? “Laughter may require more energy in your muscles,” says Dr Keay, author of Hormones, Health and Human Potential: A Guide to Understanding Hormones to Optimize Health and Performance says.
“Our mood can also affect blood sugar control. We know that stress raises blood sugar levels, so the opposite may be true.”
And as if you need more excuses to laugh, splitting your sides might be good for your heart too.
“Laughter lowers stress hormones. Stress raises cortisol, raises blood sugar levels, increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and increases blood pressure as part of the ‘fight or flight’ response.
“All of these reactions increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in the long term. But being happy and laughing has the opposite physiological effect.
“Therefore, laughter may help reduce the risk of heart disease, angina and stroke. [when the nerves become damaged]one of the complications of diabetes.
“Studies from the Institute of Psychiatry in London show that sadness restricts blood flow and laughter helps blood vessels to function normally,” she adds.
So what should you do if you have type 2 diabetes?
Dr Anand Bersamy, a consultant endocrinologist at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA HealthCare UK, said, “The first step to help obese or overweight people lose weight is with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is best to treat type 2.
“We also recommend monitoring your blood sugar, especially with a 3-month average blood sugar test called HbA1c.
“Metformin is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes because it helps the body maintain healthy blood sugar levels and improve natural insulin sensitivity.
“Insulin therapy is used when blood sugar levels are difficult to control even after taking tablets, or for temporary rapid blood sugar control.
“If you have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, such as increased urination, thirst, fatigue, or irritability, see your doctor to have your blood sugar tested.”
