National Bike Month – Biking for Your Health & Fun!
Did you know May is officially National Bike Month! Spring is the perfect time of year to hop on your bike and go for a spin as temps are not too hot and not too cold in most parts of the country.
Starting in 1956, National Bike Month is promoted by American Bicyclists as a way to showcase the many benefits of cycling so more people will give it a try. The following are some of the biggest benefits of cycling:
Can Promote Weight Loss
Riding a bike every day, or multiple days of the week is a great way to burn calories. If you have kids, think about enjoying bike rides with them. If you live close enough to work, ride your bike a few days a week instead of driving!
May Lower Cholesterol
According to a meta-analysis of 300 studies, indoor cycling boosted HDL (good) cholesterol levels while lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels. Improving cholesterol levels can boost your cardiovascular health, reducing your chances of stroke and heart attack. Riding outdoors can also help you get some sunshine and boost your vitamin D levels.
Improves Mental Health And Optimizes Brain Power
Research has shown that cycling not only reduces feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety, it can also improve cognitive functioning in older adults. And, because biking helps your body to release endorphins – those “feel-good hormones” – just 10 minutes can help put you in a good mood!
And as if these benefits weren’t good enough, cycling is low impact, so even those with joint problems can cycle with no issues.
Fueling Your Body Properly for Cycling
This month, be sure to give your body the proper nutrients before heading out for a bike ride. Your body will need protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals to power your workout. We recommend eating the following foods:
- Fatty fish
- Beets
- Berries (especially blueberries)
- Avocados
- Grass fed / free-range meats
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
Be sure to get your loved ones involved this year for National Bike Month!
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