A new study has found that as little as 10 minutes of daily exercise may help slow the growth of bowel cancer while also repairing damage to DNA.
Researchers at Newcastle University discovered that even a short duration of physical activity can rapidly trigger molecular changes in the blood.
The study found that physical activity provides protection against the progression of bowel cancer, although the exact biological mechanisms behind this effect are not yet fully understood.
For the research, blood samples were taken from 30 overweight or obese - but otherwise healthy - participants before and after 10 to 12 minutes of exercise.
The researchers then exposed bowel cancer cells to blood samples collected both before and after the exercise session.
The findings revealed that intense exercise led to an increase in the levels of 13 different proteins in the blood. Many of these proteins are linked to reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and enhancing metabolism.
The researchers believe these rapid molecular changes may help explain how even brief bouts of exercise can play a role in protecting against bowel cancer.
