French biochemist Jessie Inchauspé, popularly known as the Glucose Goddess on Instagram, shared a new video highlighting the benefits of doing soleus push-ups right after meals for just 5–10 minutes.
Her caption read, “Just eaten a donut or a big bowl of pasta? Try this: Feet on the ground, lift your heels up and down. This makes your soleus muscle (hiding in your calf) contract, helping soak up the glucose from your bloodstream. And boom, smaller glucose spikes.”
How to do Soleus Pushups?
It is a simple exercise that can be done while sitting. Jessie shared, “The Soleus Pushup is also called the Calf Raise. Imagine you're at your desk, at work, or at school, wherever you've eaten something really high in carbs. Here is the easiest and most discreet way you can lower glucose spike at that meal. You will simply put your feet on the ground and then just go up and down, keeping your shoes on, for 5–10 minutes.”
Also read | Exercise tips: 10 ways pushups help you lose weight fast
She further explained, “Your calves contain a muscle called the soleus, which studies have shown to be extra good at soaking up glucose from the bloodstream after we eat.”
Soleus Pushups Benefits
Jessie shared a study called A Potent Physiological Method to Magnify and Sustain Cellulose Oxidative Metabolism Improves Glucose and Lipid Regulation, in which the participants were asked to do calf pushups or raises for five hours. “That's too much, of course, but here's what they found: five hours of calf raises reduced by 52 percent the post-meal glucose spikes and lowered extra insulin levels by 60 percent.”
Also read | 9 reasons Push-Ups are the best exercises for your tummy, arms
"We don't have to do this for 5 hours. But we should know that even doing 10 minutes can have a strong impact. In my own test, I compared a pain au chocolat with and without 10 minutes of calf raises. The glucose spike was much smaller with the exercise, and it's very discreet. It's very, very easy. So, I recommend you test this out.”
It’s not just about glucose spikes — Soleus Push-ups are also beneficial for improving lower leg strength. They enhance stability and balance, thereby reducing the risk of falls and accidents, which is especially useful for athletes. Finally, they help tone the calf muscles, making them appear more defined.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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