Researchers have found that individuals who walk to their jobs are at about 40% less risk of having diabetes than those who commute by driving, and 17% less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who drive.
If they choose to cycle the benefits are even greater, halving their risk of getting diabetes. It means people could easily slash the chance of developing such health conditions by walking or cycling to work instead of using the car, bus or a taxi, according to the study.
High blood pressure, diabetes, and being overweight are all major risk factors for the heart and circulatory diseases and thus it is required that the general population act fast in order to increase their daily physical activities.
Active commuters are less likely to be overweight or obese, but only for walkers who walk two miles or more to work. That half hour of walking twice a day would help them achieve the minimum daily activity recommendations without additional workouts. It also matches the walking amount recommended to lose weight.
