Setting an early alarm to exercise may seem impossible to some.
But Swedish scientists believe squeezing a workout in first thing might be the best way to lose weight.
Although based on a study of mice, experts say the results ‘could prove of value’ to humans.
They studied the biological processes in rodents made to run either in the morning or evening.
Mice that exercised in their early active phase — corresponding to the morning for humans — had the most active metabolism.
Exercise causes the body to release hundreds of signalling molecules that boost health in different ways, such as better sleep, memory, performance and metabolism.
The researchers monitored how these signals are released by different organs in mice, depending on which time of day they did a workout.