According to a new study by researchers examining whether a calorie-restrictive diet can extend the human lifespan, both diet and exercise provide profound benefits to reduce the risk of diabetes.
The researchers, who initially thought that exercise would produce greater benefits, examined 50 to 60 year olds whose body mass index was between 23 and 30 (at the high end of normal weight or overweight, but not obese).
The scientists were looking at diabetes development because the disease is one of the main causes of premature death.
The study participants were divided into groups and treated with either an exercise regimen or a calorie-restricted diet. All participants had their insulin action and glucose tolerance evaluated at the beginning and end of the study.
The ultimate goal of the diet group was to cut the number of calories they ate by 20 percent, while the exercise group was charged with burning 20 percent more of their calories.
Glucose tolerance and insulin levels improved to roughly the same degree in both the dieters and exercisers. Both groups also lost weight.
