We all know that exercise is essential for overall well-being and heart health. But does it matter what time of day you exercise?
According to new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Data suggest that physical activity at certain times of the day is associated with greater heart protection.
Exercising at this time of day may be best for protecting your heart health
A recent study evaluated UK Biobank data on almost 87,000 men and women. Biobank monitored the level of physical activity as well as the heart health of the participants. Looking at the data, the researchers sought to determine whether the time of day people exercise plays a role in heart health. All participants were healthy when follow-up began. They wore activity trackers to determine the time of day they engaged in physical activity. The heart health of the participants was monitored for about six years. All participants were between the ages of 42 and 78, and more than half were women. Over six years, more than 3,000 study participants developed heart disease or stroke. However, participants who exercised in the late morning hours – generally between 8 and 11 am – appeared to have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, compared to people who exercised at other times of the day, morning exercisers had up to a 24% lower risk of heart disease and a 35% lower risk of stroke!
Why is exercise time important?
Despite these results, researchers do not have a clear answer as to why the timing of physical activity might have an effect. Interestingly, the increased heart-protective benefits of morning exercise were only seen in women. There was no difference in men. However, the findings warrant further investigation of exercise timing. Researchers suggest that the benefits of morning exercise may be related to the way the body's metabolism works at different times of the day. In other words, the timing of food intake could affect the heart health benefits, influencing the study's findings. This may be because nutrient storage and metabolism can change throughout the day. In addition, exercise has many other benefits, including reducing stress and improving mood. Therefore, it is possible that lower stress during the day also affects the risk of heart disease. Either way, the study suggests that morning exercise is ideal, especially for women.
How to promote optimal heart health
Even if you can't exercise in the morning, exercising whenever you can is better than not exercising at all. However, starting the day with physical activity is probably a good idea for anyone who can, although the timing of exercise seems to affect women more. Exercising in the morning can also help you feel better in general and more ready for the day. Along with exercise, a healthy diet is key to protecting your heart. Aim for a diet rich in nutrient-dense organic fruits and vegetables and try to reduce toxic processed foods. Reducing your sugar intake will also benefit your heart health.
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