Green thumb or not, it might actually be beneficial to get out and get your hands dirty! A new study shows that working in your garden has some surprising health benefits that include reducing the risk of cancer. So, time to get your gardening gloves out and get to work!
And so, Litt conducted a study in which two groups participated. One group got to work in the community garden, the other group had to wait one year before they could start their gardening endeavors. The group that was allowed to garden received a beginner’s course, some seeds and their very own garden plot. The mental and physical health of both groups was monitored during the year.
But an increase in fiber wasn’t the only positive outcome for the gardening group. Their physical activity increased too. The group that participated in gardening increased their physical activity with 42 minutes every week. That means that these participants got 28% of the recommended amount of physical activity by something as simple as gardening! Another health benefit to gardening, was that participants reported that working on their garden reduced stress and anxiety. According to Litt, “…a holistic intervention such as community gardening can affect multiple outcomes — fiber, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity — and psychosocial health — stress and anxiety — in an acceptable and affordable way, for people of different social, economic, and demographic backgrounds.”
According to Rebecca Crane-Okada, Ph.D., R.N., advanced oncology nurse and professor of oncology at St. John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Barbara, CA, these benefits could help reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
So even if you hate gardening, some of these benefits might make it a little better!
Source: Health News, Medical News Today | Image: Unsplash, Filip Urban