The Best 10 Health Benefits of Cycling

THE BEST 10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CYCLING

People cycle for a variety of reasons, some find it fun, some do it to save fuel and some want to enjoy the health benefits for biking. If you haven’t already started cycling, here are some reasons to try biking now.

The Best 10 Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is one of the most popular hobbies in the US. Also called biking, it’s not only used as a leisure activity but also to travel short distances.

About 12.4 percent (43 million) of the US population cycled in 2016. The number reached 47.5 million in 2017 and is said to be increasing at a rapid pace, according to Statista.

Cyclers enjoy the following best 10 health benefits of cycling:

#1 Cycling Reduces Stress and Makes You Happier

Lancet study consisting of over a million participants found that cycling can help reduce stress. Cyclists reported 21.6% fewer days of bad mental health compared to people who didn’t ride. To clarify, only one physical activity offers better results – team sports (22.3%).

According to reports, cycling is better than other gym activities including aerobics. Furthermore, scientists have also found a direct connection between exercise and happiness.

University of Bonn neurologists used a technique called positive emission tomography (PET) to visualize the presence of endorphins in the brains of 10 participants before and after a two-hour-long cardio session.

They found more of the ‘happy hormone’ in the limbic and frontal regions of the brain – portions that deal with stress and are involved in emotional processing. Hence, we can conclude that riding makes you happy.

Similarly, another study found that cycling causes the body to release chemicals including serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine. These neurotransmitters are known to reduce stress and make people happy.

In conclusion, we can say cycling is a mood booster. For more benefits of cycling, consider joining bike groups. This will give you a chance to make friends and you will feel a positive change in your mental health.

#2 Bicycling Helps You Lose Weight

Cycling is great for weight loss and can help you lose up to 2 pounds per week. It works like any other exercise. When you cycle, you burn more calories, which eventually causes you to burn fat.

The best way to lose weight via cycling is to ride at a moderate pace. However, your heart-rate should be between 68% and 79% of your maximum heart rate. You might have to use a tool, for example, a heart rate monitor to keep an eye on it.

Experts suggest ditching the car and using a cycle to commute to work. This study found that people who switched to cycling from public transport or driving lose about 10 pounds a year when riding for about 30 minutes every day. Besides, they enjoy other benefits as well.

To speed up your weight loss journey, you can include two to three high-intensity sessions per week. However, make sure to not put too much pressure on your body and to take care of your sleep and eating habits as well.

Cycling every day will not cause you to lose weight if you continue to consume unhealthy meals.

 

#3 Cycling Can Improve Balance, Coordination, and Posture

Cycling is associated with improved balance. Additionally, it improves posture, balance, and coordination as well.

When you’re on the saddle, you have to take care of several things including pedaling and steering. As a result, your motor skills improve

.This is why it is said to be a good exercise to train for other sports. Moreover, a large number of health experts also suggest cycling to individuals who suffer from medical conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Secondly, individuals who suffer from such conditions can enjoy the benefits of cycling by cycling by taking part in this low-impact exercise daily or as prescribed.

#4 Cycling is Good for the Brain

It’s believed that cycling can stimulate your brain. Additionally, it can help the brain come up with ideas. Many famous people, for example, Arthur Conan Doyle and Albert Einstein loved cycling.

This happens because cycling improves blood flow to the brain and leads to improved branching of nerve cells that make your brain more powerful.

This is why experts suggest parents teach children to bike from a young age.
Cycling is also said to reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It stimulates the formation of new brain cells and boosts the brain’s white matter

#5 Cycling Offers Anti-aging Benefits

This is a surprising health benefit for biking. A scientific study found that cycling can rejuvenate the immune system and also hold back the effects of aging.

The report found that cyclists preserved strength and muscle mass with age while maintaining decent levels of cholesterol and body fat. Moreover, men reported good testosterone levels.

Additionally, it explained the role of the thymus, an organ that makes immune cells, and typically begins to shrink after the age of 20. The report found that the organ in older cyclists continued to work at a similar rate.

In addition to this, cycling protects the skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation and reduces the appearance of wrinkles by optimizing collagen production.

#6 Cycling Give you Longevity

A BMJ study found that cycling every day can reduce the risk of death from all known causes by over 40%. It improves your immune system and helps your body fight intruders as well.

report found that the Tour de France riders, on average, lived to 81.5 years, as opposed to only 73.5 years in the general population. 

Moreover, cycling doesn’t only benefit individuals but society as a whole.

It reduces air pollution and can make the world a safer place to live in. Moreover, it doesn’t cause noise as well. You will, however, have to cycle daily to enjoy these health benefits of cycling.

#7 Excellent for Your Joints

As mentioned earlier, cycling is a low-impact exercise. It limits impact stress on weight-bearing joints, like your feet, knees, and hips. Plus, it helps lubricate the joints, which reduces stiffness and pain.

Cycling every day can reduce the risk of developing joint issues and slow the progression of existing conditions including arthritis. This is one of the best benefits of cycling, however, be careful about how long you cycle for or at what speeds.

Putting too much pressure on your joints, especially if you already have joint issues, can lead to pain and trouble.
Cycling for 15 minutes a day might be enough for most people.

#8 Cycling Reduces the Risk of Cancer

A five-year study of 250,000 British commuters found that cycling reduces the risk of developing cancer by up to 45%. The participants clocked about 30 miles per week, but the further they went the greater the health improved.

Similarly, walking is said to be beneficial as well but you will have to walk at least 30 miles per week to enjoy similar health benefits. Hence, cycling is a better alternative.
Moreover, cycling daily is recommended for women as it is known to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

#9 Cycling is Said to Be Good for Your Heart

According to this study, regular cycling improves and stimulates your heart and blood circulation, reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Plus, it is also known to lower resting pulse and reduce blood fat levels, which puts less pressure on the heart and allows it to work better

According to a study, bicycle commuters are less likely to develop conditions that raise heart disease risk. These include high blood pressure, prediabetes, and high cholesterol.

#10 Gives You Stronger Bones and Muscles

The opinion seems to be divided. Some experts believe that cycling improves bone strength and helps build muscle, whereas, some believe that cycling daily can reduce bone density and give you weaker bones.

This is why you should not cycle for more than 15 minutes a day at high speeds, especially if you’re into indoor cycling because it doesn’t offer the same benefits as going out in the open air.

The Best 10 Health Benefits of Cycling: Conclusion

1. Cycling Reduces Stress and Makes You Happier
2. Bicycling Helps You Lose Weight
3. Cycling Can Improve Balance, Coordination, and Posture
4. Cycling is Good for the Brain
5. Cycling Offers Anti-aging Benefits
6. Cycling Give you Longevity
7. Excellent for Your Joints
8. Cycling Reduces the Risk of Cancer
9. Cycling is Said to Be Good for Your Heart
10. Gives You Stronger Bones and Muscles

 

These are the best 10 health benefits of cycling. To sum up, we can say cycling is a full-body workout that offers similar benefits as any other fitness regimen. In other words, it’s perfect for everyone.

Make sure to include cycling in your daily routine to enjoy its benefits. The best thing about cycling is that it benefits everyone around you and its fun. Furthermore, it’s easy to learn.

In addition to this, it’s good for the environment. You’re never too old to learn to cycle, so consider getting invested in this healthy habit and enjoy these best 10 health benefits of cycling.