The one habit you might want to break

Watching too much TV could increase inflammation in the body.

 

Researchers found that watching too much TV was linked to cardiovascular and cancer mortality. Participants in the study were categorised into three groups based on their viewing habits: less than two hours, two to four hours, and more than four hours. Those in the latter category showed a two-fold risk of inflammatory-related diseases compared to those who watched two hours or less.

 

So after a long day at work and/or a tough workout, you might be in the habit of putting on (multiple episodes of) your favourite show as a way to unwind. But, sitting for too long, compared to regularly moving around, has been shown to lead to higher blood sugar and fat levels following a meal, which may be pro-inflammatory. And, exercise won’t necessarily offset the risks.

 

This suggests there are other factors associated with TV viewing that may be important for disease risk, such as the propensity of people to snack while watching.

 

Take home message:

Limit your TV viewing time as much as possible. And when you are watching a show, be mindful of what you're eating and try to get up and move around at least once every half hour.

 
 

#tv #health #inflammation #wellbeing