Heartening News for Gardeners

Many of us love to dig in the dirt—particularly as we grow older. Happily, gardening can give us the exercise we need to help prevent heart disease.

Working in the yard or garden burns between 250 and 500 calories an hour. Digging, spreading mulch, pruning, raking, and weeding are moderately aerobic activities, so they help your heart and lungs work better.

In fact, physical activity can cut a woman’s risk of death from heart disease in half. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise five to six days a week seems to be enough to gain this benefit.