Walking for Health: New Study Findings

A major study published in the Lancet Public Health has revealed that walking 7,000 steps a day may be sufficient to boost cognitive function and reduce the risk of various diseases. This finding challenges the popular notion that 10,000 steps should be the daily target for optimal health benefits.

The research analyzed data from over 160,000 adults worldwide and found that compared to those who walked only 2,000 steps daily, individuals taking 7,000 steps experienced significant health improvements. These included a 25% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, a 6% decrease in cancer risk, and a 38% lower risk of dementia.

Interestingly, the study also noted that even modest increases in daily step counts, such as reaching 4,000 steps, were associated with better health outcomes compared to very low activity levels. The benefits tended to plateau around 7,000 steps for most health conditions, although additional advantages for heart health were observed with higher step counts.