🚴♀️ Cycling also helps prevent the flu, according to a study
That cycling is a source of health is nothing new. Riding a bicycle regularly improves physical fitness, strengthens the cardiovascular system, and helps prevent chronic diseases. What you may not have known is that cycling could also help you prevent the flu.
A study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine concludes that doing intense cycling for at least two and a half hours per week reduces the risk of catching the flu by 10%. According to the researchers, the key lies in the intensity of the exercise: for cycling to have a preventive effect against colds, it is necessary to reach a pace that makes you sweat or breathe with some difficulty.
The interesting thing is that this benefit applies whether you ride a road bike, doing longer training sessions on asphalt, or if you prefer technical and natural routes with your mountain bike. Both modalities allow you to reach the recommended intensity and at the same time enjoy the many health benefits of cycling.
Dr. Alma Adler, one of the main researchers of the study, sums it up like this: “Although the findings are preliminary, cycling really does show a health benefit. It’s something everyone can do to reduce the likelihood of getting the flu.”
This is not the first time a scientific study has linked regular bicycle use with disease prevention. Another analysis, carried out by a team of Dutch researchers, revealed that cycling regularly can increase life expectancy by up to 14 months.
Whether on mountain bikes on natural trails or on road bikes on long paved routes, cycling continues to prove that it is much more than a sport: it is an investment in health and well-being.