Here are five interesting side effects of working out:
1. Fights Wrinkles
Exercise can help men and women keep their skin younger. In fact, it may even reverse the effects of aging, especially in people who start working out later in life. Several studies have shown that people over the age of 40 who exercise regularly have fewer wrinkles than their sedentary counterparts.
2. Mood Booster
People don’t need to lift heavy weights or run for hours to improve their mood and boost their confidence. Sometimes, something as simple and easy as a 30-minute walk can significantly impact one’s emotional state. This is due to the fact that working out releases growth hormones, which increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain, stimulating mood-enhancing, feel-good endorphins.
3. Improves Brain Power
The more people exercise in their youth, the better their brains will function as they age. Men and women who had an active lifestyle as young adults are known to perform better on cognitive tests than their less-fit counterparts. Furthermore, some researchers have proven that six weeks of agility training can considerably ameliorate one’s attention span and memory.
4. Prolongs Life
Everyone wants to live longer but not everyone likes working out. According to a number of studies, running for up to 10 minutes can boost men’s and women’s health just as much as hitting the pavement for an hour. Regardless of the speed and distance traveled, jogging can add as much as three years to one’s life.
5. Cuts Junk Food Cravings
Whether it is weightlifting, running, or playing sports, exercising is known to cut people’s cravings for high-calorie junk foods. Working out causes the brain and body to see low-calorie foods as rewards, meaning it suppresses the desire for unhealthy foods. That’s why people who exercise have an easier time maintaining a healthy and productive diet that allows them to keep their weight in check.
Other Helpful Side Effects of Working Out
Besides the above-mentioned side effects, exercising also lowers the risk of nocturia, improves lung capacity, helps the digestive system, and enhances people’s ability to make complex decisions. All and all, working out does more than pump muscles, it allows men and women to keep their bodies young and healthy.