10 benefits of cycling i dont normally tell people

Cycling not only strengthens the body and keeps you fit, but it is also economical and environmentally friendly. What could be better than riding a bicycle?

Don't believe it? Check out the following ten reasons.

Faster and time-saving

A study by Citroën shows that in major cities in the UK, cycling saves half the time compared to driving. In fact, if you drive in Cardiff during peak hours, your average speed is about 7 miles per hour, while cycling is around 12-15 miles per hour. So, cyclists can reach their destination in about 30 minutes, whereas drivers need an hour.

Better sleep

Getting up early to cycle might make you feel like you're losing sleep initially, but in reality, the quality of your sleep improves. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine asked insomniacs with sedentary jobs to cycle for 20-30 minutes daily. The result was that their time to fall asleep was reduced by half, and their sleep duration increased by almost an hour.
"Outdoor activities expose you to sunlight," says Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University. "This helps reset your biological clock to its normal state, reducing the secretion of cortisol, a stress hormone that decreases sleep, thereby restoring normal sleep patterns."

Look younger

Scientists at Stanford University found that regular cycling increases the skin's resistance to UV damage, reducing signs of aging. Dermatologist Christopher Rowland Payne from Harley Street explains, "Exercise improves blood circulation, allowing skin cells to receive more oxygen and nutrients and expel harmful substances more effectively. Exercise also creates an ideal environment for collagen production, helping reduce wrinkles and accelerate the healing process." However, don't forget to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before heading out.

Improves digestion

According to experts at the University of Bristol, the fitness benefits of cycling extend to your internal organs. "Exercise helps reduce the time food stays in the colon, reducing water absorption from the stool, making it easier to pass," says Dr. Ana Raimundo, a gastroenterologist from Harley Street.
Additionally, aerobic exercise increases your breathing and heart rate, which helps stimulate intestinal muscle contractions. "This not only prevents bloating but also reduces the risk of colon cancer," says Dr. Raimundo.

Makes you smarter

Want to keep your mind sharp? Go cycling! The University of Illinois found that a 5% improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness can lead to a 15% increase in mental performance. This is because cycling helps generate new cells in the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory, which tends to decline after age 30. "Exercise promotes the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, triggering receptor regeneration, which explains why exercise helps fend off Alzheimer's disease," says Professor Arthur Kramer, the study's author.

Fights disease

Forget apples; cycling is what really keeps the doctor away (as the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"). "Moderate exercise makes immune cells more active, helping them fight off infections more effectively," says Cath Collins, head of the dietetics department at St. George's Hospital in London. In fact, according to research from the University of North Carolina, people who cycle for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, are half as likely to get sick as those who sit on the couch watching TV.

Live longer

A study by King's College London compared over 2,400 identical twins and found that those who exercised the equivalent of cycling three times a week for 45 minutes had a "biological age" nine years younger than their non-exercising counterparts, even after accounting for other factors like BMI and smoking.
"People who exercise regularly have a significantly lower risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, various cancers, high blood pressure, and obesity," says Lynn Cherkass, who led the study. "Their body's self-defense mechanisms and ability to regenerate new cells are also more robust."

Protects the planet

A parking space for one car can accommodate 20 bicycles. The materials and energy required to manufacture a bicycle are only 5% of those needed for a car, and bicycles have zero emissions.
Bicycles are more efficient—using the same amount of energy, you can travel three times faster than walking. In terms of the "fuel" you consume, it's equivalent to getting 2,924 miles per gallon. This is thanks to your weight-to-bike ratio: you weigh six times more than your bike, while your car weighs 20 times more than you.

Improves your sex life

According to American health experts, regular physical activity improves vascular health, which in turn enhances your sex life. A study by Cornell University found that male athletes have sexual prowess comparable to men 2-5 years younger, which aligns with the timing of menopause in women. Additionally, researchers at Harvard University found that men over 50 who cycle for at least three hours a week have a 30% lower risk of impotence compared to those who don't exercise.

Benefits for parenting

Expectant mothers who cycle can benefit their unborn children. According to a study by the University of Michigan, pregnant women who maintain regular exercise have smoother deliveries, fewer complications, faster recovery, and better moods for nine months postpartum. They also regain confidence more quickly and are less likely to suffer from postpartum obesity. Exercise during pregnancy is also beneficial for the baby's neurological development. "There's no doubt that moderate exercise, such as cycling during pregnancy, benefits both the mother and the baby," says Patrick O'Brien, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

(Article excerpted from Cycling World. Please inform us if there is any infringement, and we will delete it.)