Running lowers cataract risk

While there have been many health benefits that have been noted that are associated with running, another one can be added to that list: a lower incidence in developing cataracts. A large long-term study found that the risk of cataracts decreased significantly among men and women who ran on a regular basis. The results of the study showed that the more energy that was expended there was less risk of developing cataracts. Specifically, people who averaged more than five miles a day had a 41% lower risk of developing cataracts than other people the same age who did not run. Researchers speculate that the link might be that people who are highly active are less likely to have Type 2 diabetes, or hypertension and these conditions are both linked to a greater likelihood of developing cataracts.