Scientists Say Gardening Could Be the Secret to a Healthy Heart
Research shows that the health benefits are incredibly impressive.
By Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N.,
Good Housekeeping
May 21, 2023
Excerpt:
A new study found that gardening may just be the secret to a healthy heart.
The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, looked at data collected from over 146,000 American adults over the age of 65. The participants were broken down into three groups — gardeners (older adults who garden), exercisers (ones who engage in other physical activities besides gardening) and non-exercisers (sedentary individuals). Gardeners reported spending more time staying physically active compared to exercisers, and they were able to meet the recommended 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week with just gardening alone.
Compared to sedentary individuals, gardeners reported significantly lower odds of cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and even diabetes. They were also more likely to meet their fruit and veggie quota for the day (truly reaping the fruit’s of their labor!).
But this isn’t the first time gardening has been associated with better health outcomes. Prior literature suggests that gardening can reduce depression and anxiety while increasing overall life satisfaction. Research also supports that gardening may promote healthy sleep too.
