Exercise Fights Alcohol-Related Disease

By Lola Augustine Brown

Drinkers who exercise for the recommended 2½ hours a week can reduce their risk of dying from alcohol-related disease and cancers according to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

In fact, the report states that when people met those physical activity guidelines their “mortality risk was attenuated (all-cause) or nearly nullified (cancer).” Research involved 36,760 British patients over the age of 40 who drank at various levels, from those who never drank to those considered hazardous drinkers, by academics from the UK, Norway, Canada, and Australia.

Interestingly, the study also reported that undertaking that level of activity reduces our chances of dying from any cause. So, whether you’re a drinker or not, regular exercise offers protection against many ills—and it’ll make you look and feel better in the shorter term. It’s never too late to start doing something, whether walking or taking an aqua-fitness class. A few small steps in the right direction could lead to you making positive life changes that could help you live longer and better.

Photo: iStock.

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