In fact, a 2021 study by the Australian Institute of Sport found that exercise was less effective in people who ate a low-carb diet. Participants needed a higher oxygen uptake for the same amount of work and all saw a reduction in their race performance.

Exercise also has an impact on our insulin production. “When you are exercising, your muscles can uptake glucose without needing insulin,” says Inchauspé. “It’s one of the only cases of this and it’s very important because over time if there’s too much insulin in our bodies it can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.”

This is why regular exercise has been shown to improve blood sugar control and improve your risk of getting diabetes. And it’s also why we shouldn’t be scared of consuming carbs or glucose. We need blood sugar to function, and we need to have more of it to workout effectively. The key is to make sure that you have enough blood sugar at the right time – and not keep it elevated when we’re just sitting at our desks.

What is blood glucose and how does it impact your fitness, energy and concentration?