EXERCISING on an empty stomach is better for you, according to Scottish researchers.

Dr Jason Gill and Nor Farah, of the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at Glasgow University, conducted a study to compare the effects of exercise performed before and after breakfast on fat loss and metabolic health.

Ten overweight men who did not perform regular exercise took part in three trials over one to two weeks.

With each trial, the men either performed no exercise before eating breakfast, walked briskly for 60 minutes before eating breakfast or did the same walk after eating breakfast.

They were then given lunch after a period of time and the scientists measured the amount of fat their body had burnt and the levels of fat, sugars and insulin in the blood.

The results indicated that both periods of exercise increased fat burning over the day and improved the metabolic profile in the blood.

However, exercise before breakfast resulted in more fat loss and larger reductions of fat levels in the blood.

Mr Gill said: "Any exercise you do is beneficial, but the indications are that there might be an extra benefit associated with exercising before eating, compared to after.

"However, further study is needed to determine whether the present findings extend over the long term."