Alcohol is considered harmful to overall health in many ways. Researchers said alcohol damages not only the liver but the entire body. Apart from affecting blood sugar and cholesterol levels, it has also been found to be harmful to brain and heart health. Do you know that one mistake we make every day is proving to be more dangerous than alcohol?
Scientists have found that just as alcohol harms our health, the habit of sitting for long periods has also been shown to have similar harms.
One study compared the health of two similar groups: drivers (who sit most of the day) and conductors or guards (who often stand). It was found that the diet and lifestyle of both groups of people were largely similar, but the risk of heart disease in those who sat for a long time was found to be almost double compared to those who remained standing.
Sitting too long is harmful
The team of doctors said, whether you sit in the office, rest on the bed for most of the time at home or do sedentary work like driving, all these harm your health. The more your physical inactivity increases, the more side effects it can have on your health. Along with shortening your life, it can also increase brain disorders like dementia, diabetes, and heart problems.
Risk of premature death
People who sit for long periods are more likely to die prematurely from a variety of health causes, health experts said. If your sitting time is high, it becomes very difficult to reduce the side effects even if you exercise daily.
This habit has been found to increase diseases like nerves, heart problems, and diabetes, which reduce your lifespan.
May be a victim of dementia
Researchers found that people who sit a lot may have a higher risk of developing brain disorders, even serious problems like dementia. Sitting for too long increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which is considered one of the major factors in dementia.
Health experts say that to reduce the ill effects of sitting on health, one should get up from the seat at regular intervals and move around in the office.
Obesity and heart problems
If you spend most of the day sitting on the sofa, watching TV, surfing the web for hours, or working sitting at one place in the office, then your risk of becoming overweight or obese also increases significantly. Obesity has been found to increase problems ranging from diabetes to heart problems.
Sitting too much not only causes you to burn fewer calories, it also changes the way your body responds to insulin. These conditions are considered risk factors for heart attack and stroke.
(PC: ISTOCK)
