India, March 9 -- I f you regularly hit the gym to build muscle, chances are you're familiar with the dreaded leg day, the workout many people try to delay or skip altogether. The intense strain, post-workout soreness and even the difficulty of walking the next day often make leg exercises the least favourite part of a fitness routine. However, avoiding leg day could mean missing out on significant metabolic and cardiovascular benefits that extend far beyond simply building stronger legs. Cardiothoracic surgeon Jeremy London recently took to Instagram to highlight why strengthening the lower body is crucial for overall health. According to Dr Jeremy, when people think about protecting their heart, they usually focus on cardio workouts. However, muscle mass plays a crucial role in overall health and longevity. He points out that the lower body contains some of the largest muscle groups in the body, making leg workouts essential for building muscle and improving metabolic health. He explains, "When most people think about protecting their heart, they think cardio. However, muscle mass is a key predictor of overall health and longevity. Your lower body makes up the largest muscle group," adding, "If your goal is to build muscle and improve metabolic health, your legs deserve serious attention. And let's be honest, most of us avoid leg day." Dr Jeremy notes that stimulating and strengthening the muscles in the legs can significantly improve glucose control, allowing the body to regulate blood sugar levels more efficiently and lowering the risk of metabolic diseases. Strength training can also enhance lipid profiles, help reduce blood pressure and lower systemic inflammation. In addition, exercising large muscle groups boosts the production of nitric oxide, a compound that helps relax blood vessels and supports better vascular health. He elaborates, "When you activate and grow muscle in the legs, you improve glucose control, helping your body manage blood sugars more effectively. That directly reduces risk for metabolic disease. Strength training also improves your lipid profile, lowers blood pressure, and reduces systemic inflammation. On top of that, working large muscle groups increases nitric oxide production, which helps blood vessels relax and improves overall vascular health. So, while leg day may be your least favourite, it's doing something important behind the scenes."...