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In the first randomized controlled trial of its kind, scientists found that those who began gardening ate more fiber, got more exercise, and experienced significant reductions in stress and anxiety.
The study recruited 291 non-gardening adults from the Denver area, more than a third of whom were Hispanic and over half of whom came from low-income households.
By fall, the gardening group was eating, on average, 1.4 grams more fiber per day than the control group – an increase of 7%.
Not only did gardening help with physical health, but it also helped with mental health as well. The individuals who took part in the research experienced a decrease in their stress and nervousness, particularly those who had the highest levels of tension and unease at the beginning of the study.