Do you not cycle or not enough? Today I'll give you 8 reasons why you should cycle more. For example, did you know that you can reverse the onset of type 2 diabetes with this? And that you can prevent cardiovascular disease by cycling? But there are more health benefits to cycling and I listed them.
The Netherlands is known as the cycling country par excellence. To emphasize this, below are a number of figures from the cycling platform:
The largest group of people who cycle several times a day is under the age of 50. Dutch people aged 65 and older generally cycle less often. If we look at the number of bicycles present in Dutch households according to the figures and the number of people who cycle daily, the figures are actually disappointing. With so many bicycles, you would expect more people to use their bicycles every day. So it remains to be seen whether the Netherlands is really a cycling country.
So there are more bicycles than actual cyclists and that is a shame. Not only because it is better for the environment, but especially because it is good for your health. I'll give you 8 reasons why you should cycle more:
It is well known that exercise is good for your body. The same goes for something as simple as cycling. Cycling for half an hour a day can already have a major impact on your general health, improve your fitness and cause you to lose weight. Because you are outdoors, vitamin D is produced. In addition, you build up resistance, so that the risk of all kinds of diseases decreases. Employees who cycle for at least 30 minutes a day report sick less often than people who do not cycle.
Everyone knows that stress is bad for the body. But did you know that you can also take away this stress by cycling? Cycling lowers your blood pressure and provides relaxation (especially if you cycle recreationally). This also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It has also been scientifically proven that cycling makes you smarter. This is because exercise ensures that more brain cells are produced. Exercise in general and cycling in particular could therefore just be a way to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
Sometimes people are not able to jump on a bicycle in order to work on their health that way. Fortunately, you don't necessarily have to go out on the street to cycle. Nowadays it is very easy to use an exercise bike. With an exercise bike you not only burn a lot of calories, but you enjoy the same health benefits as people who simply cycle on the street.
Exercise bikes are also ideal for the elderly. These do not have to leave the house in bad weather and can 'cycle' at their leisure. My father-in-law does this regularly (he has an exercise bike in the shed) and it has a major impact on his sugar levels. In addition, he keeps moving and feels fitter when he has 'cycled'. He is no longer able to cycle on a normal bicycle, as he became unwell years ago and has been insecure ever since. Of course, exercise bikes are not just for the elderly. If you want to stay fit, normally travel by public transport or car or do a lot of sedentary work, an exercise bike is the solution.
The whole world is now under the spell of Corona or COVID-19. Many people stay indoors, but according to the latest studies it is good if we keep cycling. Cycling keeps your body moving and strengthens your immune system. In addition, it is also the perfect means of transport, especially at a time when you want to protect yourself against the Coronavirus. After all, you do not come into contact with others and that is exactly what you need now. Cycling is also good for lowering blood pressure and suitable for people with underlying diseases who now have to pay extra attention.
Do you cycle daily, only when necessary or never? And if you cycle:do you use a normal bicycle (where you have to pedal), an E-bike or an exercise bike? Let me know.
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