Religion and Blood Pressure
Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 7:15AM
A large new study from Norway suggests that the more time men and women spent in church, the lower their blood pressure. Earlier research in the U.S. suggested a similar association between church attendance and blood pressure, but the Norwegian researchers didn’t expect to see the same thing in their country. What they don’t know yet is which came first - the religious activity or the low blood pressure. As a result, they can’t support a direct cause and effect relationship or "prove" that churchgoing is responsible for the healthy blood pressure they saw among their study’s population. This was the first study of its kind in Scandinavia. It was conducted in the county of Nord-Trødelag, where only four percent of the population attends church weekly (compared to 40 percent of the U.S. population). Earlier studies in the same geographic area have shown a positive link between humor and good health and participation in different cultural activities and good health. The investigators noted that research into lifestyle and health issues comes mainly from the U.S. and that information from Europe and Scandinavia is limited. Learn more from the Spirit & Inspiration section on DrWeil.com.
Reader Comments (1)
Hi,
Thanks for the awesome article! I have a question if you don't mind:
What is the most natural way to stay healthy forever, I mean, even when you are in your 40s? Thanks!