Physical activity vs. low-glycemic-index diet: A comparative analysis of their effects on insulin resistance treatment

Introduction Insulin resistance is a complex metabolic disorder that plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Given its increasing prevalence, growing attention is being directed toward non-pharmacological interventions such as low glycemic index (LGI) diets and regular physical activity. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of an LGI diet and physical activity on the management of insulin resistance. Current State of Knowledge A review of scientific literature published between 2020 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Both original research articles and review papers focusing on the impact of LGI diets and physical activity on insulin resistance were included. The findings indicate that both LGI diets and regular physical activity positively influence glycemic parameters by enhancing tissue sensitivity to insulin and reducing blood glucose and insulin concentrations. The combination of these interventions yields superior therapeutic outcomes compared to each intervention alone. The effectiveness of combined strategies also appears to be influenced by the timing and type of physical exercise. Conclusions A multifaceted approach integrating an LGI diet with physical activity constitutes an effective strategy for managing insulin resistance. Given the multifactorial nature of insulin resistance, treatment should be individually tailored and monitored by healthcare professionals. Further research is warranted to account for variables such as sex, age, and duration of the intervention.