Overview

• New research reveals that walking at a brisk pace significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with those walking at speeds of over 4 mph seeing a 39% reduction in risk.
• The study, which analyzed data from over 508,000 adults from the UK, Japan, and the US, found that even an average walking speed of 2 to 3 mph resulted in a 15% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Researchers suggest that while strategies to increase total walking time are beneficial, encouraging people to walk at faster speeds could further increase the health benefits of walking.
• Experts note that walking is a cost-free and simple form of exercise that can be easily integrated into daily activities, and the faster you walk, the lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.
• The study also highlighted that walking speed is a significantly different parameter than the amount of time spent walking, suggesting that the intensity of the activity also plays a role in its health benefits.