Diabetes control has become a daily struggle for millions of people in India. It is no longer limited to old age. According to a Lancet study published in September 2025, nearly 20% of adults aged 45 and above are living with diabetes. That means over 50.4 million people are managing blood sugar every single day. Men and women are affected almost equally.
For most people, diabetes control sounds tough. It often comes with strict food rules, calorie counting, and constant worry. But what if one small habit could make things easier?
According to Dr Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, there is a simple way to support blood sugar levels without changing your diet. And it takes just 10 minutes.
A Simple Habit That Supports Diabetes Control
In an Instagram post shared on December 18, Dr Sethi explained that taking a 10-minute walk after meals can help keep blood sugar in check. It does not need to be fast. It does not need to hit any step target. It also does not need to be combined with a workout.
The key is movement. Just gentle walking.
Explaining why this works, Dr Sethi said, “Your leg muscles act like a sponge. When they move, they pull glucose directly out of your bloodstream.”
In simple terms, walking helps your muscles use up sugar from the blood. This leaves less glucose floating around after meals. As a result, the body releases less insulin. Over time, this can reduce fat storage in the liver and support better metabolic health.
Why These 10 Minutes Are So Important
The time after eating is when blood sugar usually spikes. Sitting or lying down during this window can make the spike worse. Walking helps blunt that rise. This is why those 10 minutes matter so much for diabetes control.
Dr Sethi also shared several benefits of walking after meals. These include smaller blood sugar spikes, lower insulin levels, reduced fat storage in the liver, and fewer sugar crashes. Many people also notice less belly fat and more steady energy through the day.
The habit is not only useful for people with diabetes. It can also help those with prediabetes, insulin resistance, fatty liver, weight gain, belly fat, and sugar cravings. For people who feel tired or sleepy after meals, a short walk can make a big difference.
Easy To Start, Hard To Ignore For Diabetes Control
What makes this advice powerful is how simple it is. You do not need new shoes. You do not need a gym. You do not need to give up your favourite foods right away. You just need to stand up and move for 10 minutes after eating.
For anyone trying to improve diabetes control, this habit is easy to add and hard to argue with. Small steps often lead to big changes. And sometimes, the most effective solutions are also the simplest.
If you are already managing diabetes or trying to prevent it, these 10 minutes after meals may be worth your attention.
