Tai Chi—a graceful form of exercise that involves dance-like movement—is a well-known way to reduce stress and increase flexibility. But a new British study found that it offers another benefit: controlling type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that after 12 weeks of being on a Tai Chi exercise program, participants’ excess sugar levels dropped significantly: from 7.59 percent to 7.16 percent. What’s more, the study found that the subjects’ number of T-cells, key to the immune system and fighting HIV, rose.

An estimated 3.2 million African Americans are living with type 2 diabetes, which occurs in adults. Learn more at diabetes.org.