Exercise can help you improve in a variety of ways, and a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology adds to this list with a recommendation for reducing the increase of blood triglycerides that follows a meal.

Six healthy young men exercised for an hour at 50% of their capacity or following an intermittent style of training that alternated between 2 minutes of 25% effort and 2 minutes at 90%. The next morning, they consumed a balanced meal. Levels of triglycerides were measured 2, 4 and 6 hours post-meal. Fat oxidation improved in both groups compared to a control group that didn’t exercise, with best results seen performing HIIT style training.

True Strength Moment: Intense exercise looks like your best alternative for keeping triglycerides in check, but don’t underestimate the potential of extended-duration endurance workouts. They’re an invaluable tool for improving your conditioning and still have an impressive impact on triglycerides. Mix up your training with a combination of cardio challenges.