How BJJ Help To Stabilize Blood Sugar

Physical activities and sports help to keep a person healthy and fit. Martial arts involve hectic physical activities. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the martial arts which keeps athletes physically fit. BJJ athletes are advised to take a proper and balanced diet during their training. That is also a good aspect for diabetic patients. 

Carbohydrates are basic nutrients present in our daily food. Unlike proteins and vitamins, carbohydrates are an energy source. The human body utilizes carbohydrates and sometimes fats for energy purposes.

Stabilizing the number of carbohydrates (which are also called sugars) in our blood is very crucial. Physical activities like BJJ play an important role in stabilizing sugar levels in the blood.

1. What are Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia?

The normal human body has a blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL in fasting conditions. If someone has a blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL while fasting, such people are considered to have prediabetes. A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level of a person decreases from a normal level. Such people are not able to perform their regular activities.

Hyperglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level of a person increases from a normal range. People who are having diabetes mostly suffer from this condition.

2. Why Blood Sugar Level is Necessary for a Physical and Mental Activity

BJJ is not only a physical activity but also a mental game. BJJ fighters must have the ability to think and respond very actively. On the mat, they do not have the time to think about which techniques are best to defend or offend.

Blood contains one type of sugar called glucose. Blood sugar is the source of energy for the human body. The brain extracts sugar from digested food for normal functioning. It is necessary to keep blood sugar levels normal.

During physical activities, glucose is oxidized to give enough energy for the movement of muscles. Low blood sugar means you do not have enough energy to fulfill your daily activities.

During BJJ exercise, the fighter has to be active mentally and physically. Low sugar levels reduce the activity of the brain. BJJ fighters must have the ability to think and respond.

The low blood sugar level causes confused thinking, reduced ability to concentrate, dizziness, and unconsciousness. Long-term hypoglycemia can cause fits and coma. If neglected, It can become fatal.

Hyperglycemia is also harmful to the human body. The long-term high blood sugar level damages pancreatic cells. (insulin-producing cells) Furthermore, hyperglycemia causes atherosclerosis, kidney problems, heart attacks, nerve damage, slow wound healing, and reduced immunity.

3. Role of BJJ to Stabilize Blood Sugar Level

Carbohydrates are an essential part of our diet. All food items which are used in daily routine contain a big supply of grains, cereals, vegetables, fruits, bread, and milk. Our body has a very complicated system to utilize and store sugars.

The pancreas is an endocrine gland that produces insulin and glucagon hormone. Both of these hormones are helpful to stabilize blood sugar levels. If these hormones do not produce or work properly, the body's condition leads to diabetes.

When we intake food full of carbohydrates, our blood sugar level increases. After using the required glucose, our body stores extra glucose to stabilize the blood sugar level. This is the time insulin is required. The pancreas is stimulated to produce insulin. Insulin stores extra glucose from the blood in the liver in the form of glycogen.

When the body runs out of glucose and blood sugar is low, this stored sugar is used to fulfill the body's requirements and stabilize blood sugar levels. For this purpose, the pancreas produces glucagon. In this way, the blood glucose level is stabilized and maintained in the human body.

Physical activities and sports help to make your body fit. BJJ training involves various movements and workouts. During physical activity like BJJ, the body uses a large amount of sugar.

Furthermore, BJJ athletes are very conscious about their diet. They have a balanced diet. Extra carbohydrates can be compensated with physical activity like BJJ rolling.

BJJ helps to stabilize blood sugar levels in three ways.

3.1 Increase Glucose Use

During BJJ training, athletes perform a lot of physical activities like practicing different techniques, BJJ rolling, workouts, and body conditioning. All these activities require energy. Glucose is the main source of energy in our body.

During the session of BJJ training, athletes use their maximum energy, and their blood glucose level decreases. They even do not need insulin production to lower their blood glucose level. In this way, BJJ stabilizes blood sugar levels.

BJJ also helps diabetic patients to reduce their blood glucose level to normal without having insulin supplements or injections.

3.2 Increase in Insulin Sensitivity

In diabetes type II, the body produces insulin hormone. But body cells are insensitive to insulin. Sometimes it is due to over-insulin production for a long time or fat deposition. Which causes body cells to show insensitivity to insulin.

Physical activities like BJJ cause insulin sensitivity. When BJJ athletes perform a heavy activity, their bodies produce sweat, and fat deposition is removed. Fats are used for fulfilling energy needs. When fats are removed from cells, cells become insulin sensitive.

During BJJ training, the body uses glucose instead of producing insulin to store it. Insulin-producing cells and insulin receptors take a break to heal. In this way, cells become more insulin sensitive.

3.3 Balanced Diet

BJJ athletes are very careful about their diet. Their balanced diet and regular physical activities help them to balance their blood sugar level.

BJJ athletes are restricted to taking a healthy diet which helps them to perform long training sessions and heavy workouts. BJJ competitors require glucose to fulfill their energy uses. But the basic part of their training is protein. They need a protein supply to make their muscles strong.

4. Disadvantages of Over-activity on Blood Sugar Level

No doubt BJJ training involves long sessions of physical activities which are helpful to reduce blood sugar levels. But hectic exercises can also cause stress which is not good for blood sugar patients.

Hectic workouts cause stressful conditions which are also associated with an emotional charge. Furthermore, stress conditions stimulate the adrenal to produce adrenaline hormones. The adrenaline hormone is the symbol of stress which prepares the body to fight.

This hormone stimulates glucagon production which increases blood sugar levels. Once sugar levels increase, it will be a problem for diabetic patients to reduce and normalize it.

5. Final Words

Martial arts like BJJ involve body movements and hectic workouts which increase glucose utilization in our body. BJJ also helps to increase insulin sensitivity in our bodies. BJJ athletes are also very conscious about their diet. They take a very balanced diet that contains all the necessary nutrients. In this way, BJJ helps to stabilize blood sugar levels.

But hectic physical activities can cause stress and adrenaline production which increases blood glucose levels. So diabetic patients should consult with their doctor before joining BJJ. They must monitor their blood sugar level before, during, and after BJJ training.

We can conclude that BJJ training can help to stabilize blood glucose levels. But over training can be harmful to hyperglycemic persons.