Gardening Could Help Reduce Cancer Risk, Boost Mental Health

Gardening could help reduce the risk of cancer, boost mental health and bring communities together, according to new research.

Scientists say it leads to eating more fibrous fruits and vegetables, exercising more and building social connections, which together can ease stress and anxiety and lower the risk of various illnesses.

“No matter where you go, people say there’s just something about gardening that makes them feel better,” said Dr. Jill Litt, a professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

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The group started in spring and by autumn those in the gardening group were eating on average 1.4 grams, or 7% more fiber per day than the control group. It may seem like a small difference, but it isn’t.

“An increase of one gram of fiber can have large, positive effects on health,” said co-author James Hebert, director of the University of South Carolina’s cancer prevention and control program.

The gardening group also upped their physical activity by around 42 minutes per week, and saw their stress and anxiety levels decrease, with those who came in the most stressed and anxious seeing the biggest drop in mental health issues.

Link - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/gardening-could-help-reduce-cancer-risk-boost-mental-health-and-bring-communities-together/
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It is harder to garden now that I am older but each year I would put one out and loved it a great deal. There is just something with working with the soil and growing fresh veggies.