Active people have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. What about other health problems?


Scientists had 81,717 people wear an activity tracker for a week. Over roughly the next seven years, those who had replaced 20 minutes a day of sitting with moderate-to-vigorous exercise had a lower risk of being hospitalized for gallbladder disease, urinary tract infections, blood clots, pneumonia, stroke, iron deficiency anemia, diverticular disease, colon polyps, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

What to do

Keep moving. This study can’t prove that exercise—and not something else about active people—cuts the risk of hospitalization, but it’s a good bet. 

turnip

Let's stay in touch

Get our (free) healthy tips

Our free Healthy Tips newsletter offers a peek at what Nutrition Action subscribers get—scrupulously researched advice about food of all kinds, staying healthy with diet and exercise, and more.

Sign up now