It might not be what your doctor usually orders, but going to the movies every month can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by more than a third.
Research shows that visits to museums, theaters and art galleries can curb the disease.
Scientists already knew that practicing art can keep the heart healthy, prevent cognitive decline as we age, and fight anxiety and depression.
But the latest study is believed to be the first to suggest it could also tackle the modern diabetes epidemic, which affects more than four million Britons.
The condition occurs when the body no longer produces enough insulin to burn excess blood sugar and is usually associated with a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.
Research shows that visits to museums, theaters and art galleries can curb the disease
The condition occurs when the body no longer produces enough insulin to burn excess blood sugar and is usually associated with a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.
Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, and the NHS spends around 10 per cent of its total annual budget of £180 billion on treatment.
The latest study, conducted by a team from Peking University in China and Osaka University in Japan, analyzed data from more than 4,000 people in England over a 12-year period.
Volunteers were asked how often they enjoyed trips to the theatre, theatre, art galleries or museums.
When the researchers compared this data with the number of people in the study who developed type 2 diabetes, they found that regular movies – about once a month – appeared to reduce the risk of the disease by 35 percent, compared to those who who rarely or never went to the cinema usually.
According to a report in the International Journal of Public Health, this was the case even when scientists took into account other factors associated with the disease, such as low income and poor education.
Similar results were observed among those who regularly attended theatres, concerts, opera or galleries.
It’s not clear how enjoying regular contributions to culture staves off diabetes, but researchers say it may offset some of the damage stress can do to the body.
According to the charity Diabetes UK, chronic stress can lead to a build-up of harmful hormones – such as cortisol – which can cause the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas to stop working properly.
The resulting decrease in insulin production can lead to type 2 diabetes. In a report on their findings, the team says: “Participating in art activities is fun, relaxing, active, stress-relieving and socially interactive.”
However, the study did not examine the effects of movie theater snacks on diabetes risk.
Previous research into the disease has warned that 225 grams of sweet popcorn can contain 1,200 calories – almost half the daily allowance of 2,500 for a man and more than half the recommended 2,000 for women.
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
