Muscle’s Benefits

Muscle is a star player in keeping your body happy and healthy in the long-term, for several reasons. For starters, lean muscle mass can help manage blood sugar, keeping type 2 diabetes at bay. In fact, one 2017 cohort study found a negative association between muscle mass and risk of developing type 2 diabetes. "The number one consumer of blood sugar in the human body is skeletal muscle," says Tim Church, a professor of preventive medicine. So, the more muscle you have, the greater your potential to metabolize blood sugar. Also, as you age, you'll want a healthy amount of muscle, rather than fat. "Muscle is a commonly overlooked marker of healthy aging," Church says. You lose about 1-2% of muscle mass starting around age 40 or 45, he adds. This age-related decline in muscles is known as sarcopenia, and it's one of the biggest reasons many older adults can no longer do simple tasks without help. "You can't put your jacket on, you can't push yourself off the toilet, and you can't get yourself off the ground after you fall," Church says. "It all comes down to strength and muscle mass."