Looking for Lower Blood Sugar? Try an 'Exercise Snack'

A workout that takes less time than brushing your teeth might help people with Type 2 diabetes keep their blood sugar in check. A new study in the journal Diabetologia found that doing four 60-second bursts of simple at-home moves like squats, jogging in place, or jumping jacks across the day modestly improved blood sugar control in adults with the condition, even though they did no other exercise, reports the Washington Post.

Researchers followed 31 men and women, mostly middle-aged, with well-managed Type 2 diabetes, outfitting them with continuous glucose monitors and fitness trackers. On some days, participants did four "exercise snacks," ideally within an hour of meals; on others, they stayed sedentary. On the active days, daytime blood sugar levels were lower and post-meal spikes were smaller, though the changes weren't dramatic.

The study was a small one and can't say how long the benefits last or what the "best" dose of exercise is, but experts say the findings suggest that very brief, vigorous bouts of movement are a practical add-on—not a replacement—for regular workouts. As one researcher puts it, "Every minute counts." Here, some tips on working these short workouts into your daily routine.