When discussing important lifestyle considerations, diet is often at the forefront. But exercise deserves at least as much attention. And you do not have to exercise strenuously for hours every day to reap a benefit. Just brief bouts of moderate activity (lets not even call it exercise) will pay lasting health benefits including improved mood and outlook, losing or controlling weight, strengthening your bones, lowering your blood pressure and boosting your energy (among many others).
Now a recent study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and published in JAMA Oncology suggests it may also lower your cancer risk. The study followed 8,000 men and women and found that the most sedentary individuals had an 82% higher risk of cancer death than the least sedentary individuals.
How much activity was required to realize a benefit? Not much. Researchers found that replacing just 30 minutes a day of sitting with light housework or gardening cut cancer risk 8%. Up your game just slightly, say with a 30 minute walk, and you cut your risk by over 30%.
So stop reading this right now and go for a walk!
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