Do you enjoy your time spent in nature? It may help lower inflammation levels, linked to the risk of heart disease and diabetes, finds a study.
While previous research linked exposure to the natural world with better mental and physical health, the new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity focussed on inflammation.
The study showed that frequent positive contact with nature was independently associated with lower circulating levels of three different indicators of inflammation — âinterleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine closely involved in the regulation of systemic inflammatory processes; C-reactive protein, which is synthesised in response to stimulation by IL-6 and other cytokines; and fibrinogen, a soluble protein present in blood plasma — were measured, and structural equation modelling was conducted to detect the association between nature engagement and the three biomarkers.â