You can regularly indulge in plates of fettuccine alfredo or huge slices of cheesecake, and you’ll want to think that intense training can eliminate the negative effects on your health. However, a new study has been found that is not the case.
Exercise does not completely supplement a poor diet when it comes to longevity, researchers reported this month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Another study has previously found that exercise is unlikely to help people lose weight.
A new study rejected the “sensational” headlines and “misleading” ads of exercise regimens that “invite consumers into the idea of” striving to eat what they like. ”
Melody Ding, lead author and associate professor of medicine and health at the University of Sydney, Australia, states that dietary quality remains important to very physically active people.
“Participants with the lowest risk of death have consistently high levels of physical activity and a quality diet across all three outcomes: death from all causes, death from cardiovascular disease, and death from cancer. Was a person, “Ding said today.
“Exercise protects you from the risk of death, even if someone has a bad diet. It’s just much better to have both exercise and a good diet.”
Effects of diet and exercise
As a very active person, Din began his research because he was interested in the possibility of “overtaking a bad diet” with respect to longevity. “When you want a potato wedge or cheesecake, you may wonder if you have more’immunity’to a bad diet,” she said.
To get the answer, she and her colleagues turned to a large database of British adults reporting their diet and exercise habits. The survey sample included a total of more than 346,000 participants.
Eating more than 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, and two servings of fish a week, while limiting processed and lean meats to no more than twice a week, was considered a quality diet. .. 5 times or less each week.
The data did not include how often participants consumed sweet drinks, fast food, or any other option, as it was difficult to record all aspects of a person’s diet in such a large sample. Said Ding. “That’s a real shame … we hope we can deal with it in the future,” she added.
In terms of exercise, participants were grouped by how many minutes a week they did intense exercise, such as running, aerobic dance, and gardening. Previous studies have suggested that this type of exercise may offer additional health benefits compared to moderate activity alone.
“It’s not just about energy balance.”
After following participants for an average of 11 years, researchers investigated how many died and their cause of death.
People with the lowest risk of premature death most often ate the highest quality diet. When Engaged in the highest or second highest amount of physical activity. This means at least 75 minutes of strenuous exercise a week.
However, studies have found that high levels of physical activity could not completely counteract the harmful effects of a poor diet on mortality risk.
“I thought hopefully during the planning of the project, but the results weren’t surprising. I expected diet to still be important — even for the most active people,” Din said. rice field.
“We need to move and eat well. Both diet and physical activity affect health through many mechanisms. It’s not just about energy balance.” Exercising to burn the cake We need to think beyond “whether we can do it”. Eat and exercise for overall health. “
Most often focus on healthy behavior
Maya Vadiveru, assistant professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Rhode Island, said diet is a major risk factor for seven of the ten major causes of death and disability. She was not surprised by the results of her research.
Conversely, a person with a very nutritious diet sitting on the couch all day has no benefit to the body, as both diet and exercise are important for long-term health.
“Multiple elements of our lifestyle are important to our health. We want to eat a healthy diet and move,” said Vadiveloo, who was not involved in the new study today.
Still, experts know that most people are not saints who lead a perfectly healthy life. If a person wants to eat dessert from time to time, but chooses fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, protein plant sources, fish, and heart-healthy oils, “I don’t worry about it. The overall situation is healthy, “Vadiveloo said.
For potato chips and cookie cravings, she recommended limiting the size of potions and how often you indulge, but it’s very difficult to stick to, so ban those foods altogether. I didn’t do it.
To stay healthy, pay attention to how your body feels better, both in terms of diet and exercise, Vadiveloo advised. If you don’t like running and tend to sit down, try walking, dancing and swimming. If you’re eating too much junk food, add some healthy options that you can still enjoy, such as nuts and sweet potatoes.
