You’ll live longer if you bike to work
Biking to work or school may lower your risk of death from any cause by almost 50 percent, a new study finds.
Researchers looked at the health benefits of active commuting versus inactive commuting and found both biking and walking strongly benefit physical and mental well-being.
The study included nearly 83,000 people 16-74 years of age. After almost two decades of monitoring, cycling was associated with a 47 percent lower risk of death, a 10 percent lower risk of any hospital admission and a 24 percent lower risk of hospital admission for heart disease.
Cyclists also had 51percent lower odds of dying of cancer and significantly lower odds of being prescribed drugs for heart disease or mental health issues.
Walkers had an 11 percent lower risk of hospital admission for any cause and a 10 percent lower risk of admission for heart disease.
They were also less likely to be on medications for heart or mental health conditions.
Source: BMJ Public Health; HealthDay News
