Good Lifestyle

The gardeners are in good news: your hobby has significant Health benefits . Although it is great to go out, to work with your hands and, finally, to cultivate growth for a certain number of reasons, a new study revealed that working in a community garden - which is shared with others - can really reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Wondering how it goes? Read the rest to discover what the researchers have discovered and why you may want to pick up seeds and a shovel.

Read this then: If that happens to you in the bathroom, check the cancer, the doctors say .

Researchers from the University of Colorado (Cu) Boulder were investigating the means of reducing the risk of illness and the author of the Senior Study Jill Litt , PHD, professor in the Cu Boulder environmental studies department, was particularly interested in gardening. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"No matter where you are going, people say that there is just something in gardening makes them feel better , "Litt, who is also a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, in a press release.

A handful of scientific studies have examined gardening, but none distinguished community gardening. Litt took advantage of this opportunity to "fill the gap" of research and understand if healthy people simply like to garden, or if the pastime really has a positive impact on health.

The new study, funded by the American Cancer Society and published in Lancet planetary health January 4, followed the participants who had not garden Over the past two years. Half of the group worked in Community Gardens in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, while the other half was responsible for waiting a year before gardening.

The individuals of the two groups wore activity monitors, had their body measures took and took periodic health surveys that have raised questions on stress, anxiety, food and physical activity.

Compared to the control group, those who participated in the community gardens ate more fruits and vegetables and felt lower stress and anxiety. Community gardeners have also consumed more fibers and have exercised more, which are both "relevant to the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases", wrote the authors of the study.

"These results provide concrete evidence that community gardening could play an important role in prevention of cancer, chronic diseases and mental health disorders," Litt said in the press release.

Gavin Dawson , PA-C, founder and main instructor of Global emergency doctors , which was not involved in the study, stressed the fact that gardening is an accessible way to obtain positive results.

"This study is an excellent example of how a simple and low cost intervention as gardening can have a positive impact on physical and mental health," he said Better life . "Of course, we cannot say that gardening cures cancer, but that could suggest that leading certain lifestyles reduces the risk of cancer, long -term."

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Those of the gardening group ate about 1.4 grams of more fibers than the non -guardian group, the authors emphasizing the "deep" effect that fiber has on your overall health. The fibers are involved in inflammatory and immune responses, affecting our metabolism and intestinal health . It also directly affects our chances of being diagnosed with diabetes and certain forms of cancer.

"An increase in a gram of fibers can have great positive effects on health", co-author James Hebert , the director of the University of South Carolina cancer prevention and control program, said in the press release.

Nancy Mitchell , A authorized nurse And the writer contributing to the assisted center of life, who was not affiliated with the study, stresses that gardeners also tend to "eat what they grow up", which can have an impact on the risk of illness chronic.

"They can choose to consume whole organic foods from their backyard rather than processed foods purchased in store, which can increase the risk of cancer if it is consumed in a coherent and excessive manner for long periods", explains- she. "Local products are simply not falsified with pesticides and industrial chemicals or compounds noted over the years to wreak havoc on the body."

The exercise is also important for overall health and disease prevention, the researchers said. Participants in the study that gardened increased their activity levels by 42 minutes per week, according to the press release. At least 150 minutes of physical activity are recommended each week and community gardeners have reached 28% of this goal in just two to three weekly visits.

But while gardening is a low impact way to stay active, Litt also notes that community gardens encourage people to go out. And according to Gary Suffering , MD, FAAP, director of the integrative medicine program at Smilow Cancer Hospital And assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, there are also undeniable health benefits associated with this.

"We have known for generations that exposure to nature is good for mind and mind," he said Better life . "Modern science begins to show that it can even have an impact on our physiology and our risk of illness. This article shows that nature is accessible everywhere and that community gardens are a unique opportunity to obtain this exhibition."

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Going further, health benefits were detected only one year after studying participants picked up gardening, which gives hope that these positive effects will only increase. And while gardening alone offers many advantages, a share The garden could have even more impact.

"Even if you come in the garden that seeks to grow your food by yourself in a quiet place, you start to look at your neighbor's plot and share techniques and recipes, and over time, the Relations flourish, "Litt said in the press release. "It is not only about fruits and vegetables. It is also a question of being in a natural space outside with others."