It may not be what the doctor usually prescribes, but a monthly cinema visit could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than a third.
Research shows that visiting museums, theaters and art galleries can curb the disease.
Scientists already knew that practicing art can keep the heart healthy, prevent cognitive decline in old age and combat anxiety and depression.
But the latest study is believed to be the first to suggest it could also tackle the modern epidemic of diabetes, which affects more than four million Britons.
The condition occurs when the body stops producing enough insulin to burn off excess blood sugar, and is usually linked to a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.
Research shows that visiting museums, theaters and art galleries can curb the disease
The condition occurs when the body stops producing enough insulin to burn excess blood sugar, and is usually linked to a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.
Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, and the NHS spends around 10 percent of its total annual budget of £180 billion on treating it.
The latest study, carried out by a team from Beijing University in China and Osaka University in Japan, analyzed data from more than 4,000 people in England over a period of 12 years.
Volunteers were asked how often they enjoyed trips to the cinema, theatre, art galleries or museums.
When researchers compared this data to the number of people in the study who developed type 2 diabetes, they found that regular moviegoing — once a month or so — seemed to reduce the risk of the disease by 35 percent, compared with those who rarely or never used to go.
This was the case even when scientists took into account other factors linked to the disease – such as low income and poor education, according to a report in the International Journal of Public Health.
Similar results were observed among those who often went to the theater, concerts, opera or galleries.
It’s not clear how enjoying regular contributions to culture wards off diabetes, but researchers say it may offset some of the damage that stress can do to the body.
According to the charity Diabetes UK, chronic stress can lead to a build-up of harmful hormones – such as cortisol – which can stop the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from working properly.
The subsequent drop in insulin production can lead to type 2 diabetes. In a report on their findings, the team says: ‘Participating in art activities is fun, relaxing, active, stress-relieving and socially interactive.’
However, the study did not look at the impact of movie theater snacks on diabetes risk.
Previous research into the disease warned that 225 grams of sweet popcorn could contain 1,200 calories – almost half the daily allowance of 2,500 for a man and more than half of the 2,000 recommended for women.