More and more equipment makes it possible to continue cycling in cold or rainy weather. That’s good, it seems that pedaling has never been so good for health in general, but also cardiovascular. Two Danish and Swedish studies confirm the benefits of pedal regularlyeven when the bicycle is used for short trips or for short rides.
The bicycle is popular in Denmark and it works for the Danes according to a publication relayed in Circulation. The 45,000 Danes between the ages of 50 and 65 accustomed to riding their bicycles regularly, for transport or for recreation, reduced their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 11 to 18% over the 20-year period observed by the researchers (1993-2013).
Cycling to maintain your heart and arteries
No need to pedal hard to feel the benefits of this practice. 30 minutes of cycling per week would already offer relative protection against coronary heart disease.
For the researchers, it should not be concluded that cycling protects against cardiovascular disease, it helps to stimulate cardiovascular health.
If the bike does so much good, it is because it helps to fight against sedentary lifestyle and its scourges. The second study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association points out that the health benefits of cycling extend beyond cardiovascular disease. Cyclists, even novices, are less at risk of obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
So much good reasons which should encourage trade more cars for bicycles. The more cautious can also enjoy it by indoor cycling, a popular activity in gyms.
Those who regularly biked were less likely to develop high BP, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes and obesity. https://t.co/UWp0eGwCkJ
—American Heart News (@HeartNews) November 4, 2016
Read also : 8 good health reasons to take up cycling