National Walking Day is next week on April 6th. While walking is generally considered a low-impact and potentially easy exercise, it actually comes with many health benefits! Most of us have heard about the potential benefits of “10,000 steps per day.” But what exactly are the benefits we might achieve from taking frequent walks?
Walking to Improve Joint Health
We have discussed this topic many times on the blog. There is no doubt that walking may improve joint health and can even reduce symptoms in those suffering from osteoarthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, walking can help you lose or maintain weight, thereby causing less stress on the joints. It can also lead to increased muscle mass, which shifts the pressure and weight from your joints to your muscles. In addition, it increases joint fluid circulation which is beneficial to maintaining healthy joint cartilage.
Additional Benefits of Walking
The benefits of frequent walks don’t stop at joint health! According to Harvard University, there are several surprising benefits of walking. Walking can counteract the effects of weight-promoting genes, can help reduce cravings for chocolate and other sugary foods, can boost your immune function, and can even reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. According to a study conducted by the American Cancer Society, women who walked seven or more hours per week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or less per week.
So there you have it. The science is clear: frequent walks may possibly lead to a healthier you! Don’t forget to take a walk on April 6th for National Walking Day!