Just 40 minutes of brisk walking a day could make a meaningful difference for your long-term health, according to new research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study found that people who consistently engaged in moderate physical activity had a 17% lower risk of developing digestive cancers and a 28% lower risk of dying from them.
The research, published in JAMA Oncology, tracked more than 230,000 U.S. adults over 32 years, surveying their exercise habits every two years. Participants who maintained steady habits, such as brisk walking for about 40 minutes daily, experienced the strongest protective effect.
Surprisingly, researchers noted that exercising much harder or for significantly longer periods did not lead to additional benefits. Scientists say regular movement helps reduce inflammation, improve metabolic function, and strengthen the immune system, creating conditions that make it harder for cancer cells to develop and spread. The impact was particularly significant for colon, pancreatic, and liver cancers.
Lead author Dr. Edward L. Giovannucci states the results reinforce the importance of lifelong physical activity. “Exercise isn’t simply a lifestyle habit,” he said. “It is a scientifically supported choice that protects lives.”
J.K. Park Staff Reporter junior/1764139498/1613368089
1. What amount of daily brisk walking showed the strongest protective health effects?
2. Where was the research on exercise and cancer risk originally published?
3. When were participants surveyed about their physical activity during the study?
4. Why does regular movement help lower risks of several major digestive cancers?
1. How would learning these results influence your personal exercise habits today?
2. What type of moderate physical activity do you most enjoy doing regularly?
3. Have you noticed health improvements when staying physically active over time?
4. Why do you think consistent movement matters more than intense workouts overall?
Just 40 minutes of brisk walking a day could make a meaningful difference for your long-term health, according to new research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study found that people who consistently engaged in moderate physical activity had a 17% lower risk of developing digestive cancers and a 28% lower risk of dying from them.
