A new study has revealed a simple and inexpensive way to promote health across all segments of society, and it could be the difference between life and death.
15 minutes a day of walking this way could save your life
A research team from the Vanderbilt Center for Epidemiology analyzed data from 79,856 participants of different races and economic backgrounds, and followed their health status for an average of 16 years.
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The results were astonishing, as those who regularly walked briskly for a quarter of an hour a day had a 20% lower chance of premature death compared to those who did not engage in this activity.
What makes this study unique is its focus on communities often overlooked in medical research, with a large proportion of Black people (66%) and those with limited income in the sample, proving that the benefits of brisk walking include everyone regardless of race or economic status.
What is most exciting is that this benefit was not limited to reducing the risk of death in general, but extended to include, in particular, cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers explain that brisk walking improves heart efficiency, lowers blood pressure, and helps control weight, thus reducing the factors that cause heart disease.
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Dr. Wei Cheng, the research team leader, says: "We have provided concrete evidence that a simple activity like brisk walking can be an effective weapon against premature death. This is an important message of hope, especially for resource-limited communities."
Although the study relied on participants' self-reported physical activity—which may contain some errors—the large sample size and long follow-up period lend significant credibility to the results. Furthermore, the simplicity of the recommendation makes it applicable to almost everyone, without requiring special equipment or significant costs.
