Ramblers have always known that lungfuls of country air make you feel good. Now experts say doctors should think about prescribing a daily walk in the park as a treatment for chronic inflammation.
After studying 1,244 US men and women aged between 34 and 84, a team from New York’s Cornell University concluded: ‘A higher frequency of positive nature experiences was associated with lower levels of systemic inflammation.’
They say the impact goes above and beyond the benefits linked to exercise.
Experts say doctors should think about prescribing a daily walk in the park as a treatment for chronic inflammation (stock image)
After studying 1,244 US men and women aged between 34 and 84, a team from New York’s Cornell University concluded: ‘A higher frequency of positive nature experiences was associated with lower levels of systemic inflammation’ (stock image)
Exactly how exposure to nature has such an effect is unclear.
One theory is that microbes given off by plants and soil react with bacteria in the human stomach to protect against the inflammation linked to many chronic illnesses, including cancer and heart disease.
Another is simply that closeness to nature reduces stress – a driver of inflammation.
In a commentary published alongside the findings, Ohio State University psychologists said: ‘As research progresses it is possible that providing access to public parks and nature areas will become as important as providing access to hospitals and clinics.
‘At the individual level, perhaps doctors should prescribe a daily walk in the park as a first treatment for inflammation rather than medications, which can be expensive and laden with side effects.’
