Housework May Prevent Diabetes - Australian Study Suggests Good Housekeepers Healthier

"Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go…". You probably remember this fun song in the childhood movie, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Little did we know that Snow White, Sneezy, Sleepy, Doc, Dopey, Happy, Bashful, and Grumpy's everyday chores may actually prevent diabetes!

What housework tasks are recommended to do to prevent diabetes?

Just about anything you can think of! Here are some examples of housework tasks that may prevent diabetes:

- Dishes

- Dust

- Laundry

- Vacuum

- Sweep

- Change bed sheets and make the beds

- Clean the bathroom

- Mop

- Re-arranging closets or the garage

- Gardening

- Watering the lawn

- Put up and maintain a bird feeder

- Re-arrange furniture

These are common, everyday chores that you probably already do daily or weekly.

Where's the proof that housework may prevent type 2 diabetes?

Australian researches have found that a little light housework everyday helps control blood glucose levels and may prevent diabetes. They concluded that even the smallest amount of housework duties may lower your blood glucose level and prevent diabetes.

How does housework prevent me from getting type 2 diabetes?

It is proven that for every hour of light housework chores you complete, there can be a 0.2 drop in your blood glucose level. At the end of the day, this can add up and can significantly decrease your chances of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Is type 2 diabetes the only thing that housework may prevent?

No! In fact, there are three areas that doing housework chores can benefit you:

MIND: housework keeps you mind active and working.

BODY: housework prevents type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, some cancers, and many other cardiovascular diseases.

SOUL: housework gives you a sense of accomplishment and productivity.

What a great culmination! You can improve your outlook on life as you prevent diabetes and live in a clean house.

So, all I have to do is just dust for five minutes and that's it?

Not exactly. Moderate exercise is still recommended to maintain a healthy body, but it's good to know that the little stuff counts too. The recommended regimen of 30 minutes of moderate to slightly vigorous exercise per day is still important for a healthy body and life.

The conclusion of the Australian study was that good housekeepers proved that anything is better than doing nothing, and even doing the dishes will lower blood glucose levels.

What if I still need help to prevent type 2 diabetes?