Don’t we say “take a forest bath”? For many people, nature is a way to recharge their batteries. And for good reason: a report, published in Environmental Researchreveals that exposure to green spaces reduces the risk of type II diabetescardiovascular disease, premature deaths, premature births, stress and high blood pressure. In addition, populations with higher levels of exposure to green spaces are also more likely to report good general health.
This report is the result of a large meta-analysis, where researchers from the University of East Anglia (UK) studied 143 studies involving more than 290 million people. This data comes from 20 different countries including the UK, US, Spain, France, Germany, Australia and Japan. Green spaces were defined as undeveloped open land, with natural vegetation, as well as urban land, which included parks and gardens.
Nature, a miracle drug?
The research team analyzed the health of people with little access to green spaces compared to those who, conversely, can go there regularly. “We found that spending time in or living near natural green spaces is associated with diverse and important health benefits,” said in a statement Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, lead author of the study. “It reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseasepremature death and of premature birthand increases sleep duration.” The researchers also observed that living close to nature was associated with lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress. There were also fewercerebrovascular accidents (CVA)asthma and cancer.
However, scientists do not know exactly what causes these relationships. “People living near green spaces likely have more opportunities for physical activity and socializing. Meanwhile, exposure to a variety of bacteria found in natural areas may also have benefits for the immune system and reduce inflammation”, explains the researcher. The research team hopes that their results will encourage healthcare professionals to recommend that their patients spend more time in green spaces and encourage urban planners to develop them.
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