Got 20 minutes? New study shows that’s enough time to make a dramatic change

We all know that there are some significant benefits to exercising. It helps your mood, helps shed some unwanted weight, and keeps us generally healthy. New research has shown that it has, even more, benefits and the best news is that it doesn’t mean you have to be a slave to the gym.

The University of California-San Diego School of Medicine conducted a study into the effects that exercise has on your general wellbeing and found that 20-minutes of moderate exercise daily not only improved general health but also had an anti-inflammatory effect on joints and released hormones in the body that fight against type-2 diabetes, some cancers and will drop blood pressure.

Lead researcher Suzi Hong told Medical News Today, “Our study shows a workout session does not actually have to be intense to have anti-inflammatory effects. Twenty minutes to half an hour of moderate exercise, including fast walking, appears to be sufficient. Feeling like a workout needs to be at a peak exertion level for a long duration can intimidate those who suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases and could greatly benefit from physical activity.”

Experts suggest though if you are starting out a new exercise regime or have more advanced joint issues than it’s always advisable to talk to your doctor about any changes to your physical activity as your case might be different.

While it might not be a surprise that there are added benefits to exercise, it is nice to know that all the hard word, even if you can’t see it in the mirror some days, is making a positive effect to your body.

What are some of the other added benefits that exercise gives your life? What are your favourite types of exercise? We would love to hear what you do to keep a healthy lifestyle in the comments below.