Weight loss, reduced risk of disease and less chance of getting Type 2 diabetes are just a few good reasons to run. Read on to find out why it’s a great past-time…
Running is a great calorie burner and a fantastic way to exercise and strengthen the cardiovascular system, i.e. the heart and lungs, but did you know it also has many other body benefits too? Here’s some of the benefits of running regularly that are often overlooked or simply unknown…
Reduced risk of disease
Running can help to lower your risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart attack and even developing dementia in later life.
Improved muscle strength
When you run regularly, your muscle strength improves, and it also strengthens joints, tendons and ligaments.
Better bone health
Running is a weight-bearing form of exercise which means it helps to strengthen bones and reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes
Your pancreas makes insulin, which is responsible for normalising your blood sugar levels. Regular exercise and keeping to a healthy weight, which running can help you achieve, can lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is thought to affect one in 16 people – or around 4.7 million people – in the UK, with many more undiagnosed.
Improved joint health
Many people wrongly assume that running is bad for your joints, but in fact, some loading is good for the joints. Running sensibly can strengthen joints if you don’t overdo it and can help to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis.
Improved mood
Have you ever noticed that you’re in a much better mood after a run, even if you didn’t feel like doing it beforehand? This is because running releases feel-good chemicals and hormones are released, which helps to ease stress and anxiety and can also help to combat mild or moderate depression.
Stronger lungs
Running improves lung capacity and strengthens your respiratory muscles.
Better skin
Like many other forms of cardiovascular exercise, running improves blood circulation and this can help to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin which can help keep it healthy.
Can running burn belly fat?
Many people ask if running will boost belly fat. It will certainly burn calories which, if you tend to store fat around the middle, will help you lose weight and may reduce belly fat if that’s where any excess is stored. Running can burn anywhere from ten to 15 calories per minute depending on your age, weight and present fitness level.
