Exercise and Good Diet Together Linked to Fewer Deaths
Graded Moderate — a very large prospective cohort study, but observational and partly based on self-reported activity and diet.
- Design
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- Participants
- 339,074
- Duration
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- Funding
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Combining regular activity with a good diet was linked to fewer deaths, especially in people with advanced heart, kidney and metabolic problems.
In a large British study, being physically active and eating a high-quality diet were each linked to fewer deaths and less cardiovascular disease, and the link was strongest when people did both. The researchers analyzed 339,074 UK Biobank participants with an average age of 56. Active meant at least 150 minutes a week of walking or moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Participants were also grouped by stage of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, a scale of how far heart, kidney and metabolic problems have progressed, and the combined link grew stronger at later stages, for example for heart failure. Because the data are observational, they cannot show that the habits themselves caused the difference.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.