Engaging in one or more physical activities of our choice is something that has many health benefits, both mental and physical. This fact is well known to every single one of us. On the contrary, wasting opportunities to exercise can have some very serious consequences to our overall health. In this article we are going to analyze one of them, the appearance of polyps.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute of the United States of America, insufficient amount of daily exercise can lead to the appearance of what medical examiners refer to as colon polyps. They are not something to worry about if they are removed as soon as they are spotted, usually through exams like colonoscopy. This is why frequent colorectal screening is very important. Neglecting to undergo such exams can allow polyps, which are benign at first, to turn into malignant tumors and start growing uncontrollably. In other words, not scheduling a standard exam can turn someone into a cancer patient.

The study included 1700 people, both men and women. However, the results demonstrated that men are way more threatened by daily schedules that do not include workouts. In fact, experts documented that men who spend half or more of a 24-hour period in a seated position (for example, while reading, working or writing) have an amazing 45 percent increased chance of developing polyps when compared to other men who spend seven or even fewer hours in similar sedentary activities.

But, as it turned out, following an abstract exercise plan is not enough. Scientists are advising men to have a steady and sufficient workout schedule that they have to follow on a daily basis. Working out once in a while may have some short-term benefits, but, in the long run, polyps may still appear in the colon.

Even though these results can be very alarming for some people, they should not be considered a reason to panic. There is no definite link between polyps and exercising yet, and the study is just offering us some associations that need to be reviewed and verified before the experts start reaching some definite conclusions. Still, even though this study is inconclusive, the advantages of daily exercise are too obvious. So, make sure you add a sufficient amount of exercise time in your daily routine and watch both your body and your mood improve.