Any activity like walking is better than prolonged sitting and should be encouraged. “Forest bathing” is a term used more in Japan for exercising in greenspaces and forests. It has been suggested that forest bathing is a healthier form of exercise. Now it has been put to the test in a new study.
ABSTRACT:
“Scientific research on forest therapy’s preventive medical and mental health effects has advanced, but the need for clear evidence for practical applications remains. We conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40–70 to compare the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban walking. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the forest or urban group, with 78 completing 90-min walks and analysis.”
“The primary outcome measured was the change in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels. Evaluating researchers were blinded to the groups, but participants and on-site staff were not. Here, we demonstrate a significant increase in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the forest group. Furthermore, forest walking resulted in improved mood, including a reduction in stress hormone levels. In conclusion, mindful forest walking has the potential to enhance immunity and promote health.”
THE FOREST BATHING STUDY
The authors conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40–70 to compare the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban walking.
Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the forest or urban group, with 78 completing 90-minute walks and analysis. The primary outcome measured was the change in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels. Evaluating researchers were blinded to the groups, but participants and on-site staff were not.
RESULTS
The authors demonstrated a significant increase in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the forest group. Furthermore, forest walking resulted in improved mood, including a reduction in stress hormone levels like cortisol.
Salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a mediator of local immunity and host defense. Reduced IgA levels may predispose to bacterial invasion of the mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract, including the oral cavity and elevated levels, as were found after forest walking, enhance health measures.
DISCUSSION
Mindful forest bathing has the potential to enhance immunity and promote health. The findings show that, compared with urban walking, forest walking considerably raises sIgA levels and enhances mucosal immune function.
Furthermore, forest bathing decreased the levels of stress hormone cortisol significantly and positively affect mood profiles. These effects were observed even after adjusting for baseline values and total physical activity during forest and urban walking.
Any exercise is good exercise but, when you can, try go get out in a park, forest, or green space, to enjoy lowering your stress, and boost your immune health in nature.
About the author: Dr. Joel Kahn is one of the world’s top cardiologists and he is passionate about scientifically showing the body’s ability to heal itself through proper nutrition. He is on a mission to try to prevent heart disease and all future heart attacks by educating and inspiring people to follow an active and holistic lifestyle by applying cutting-edge science to their lives.
At his core, Dr. Joel Kahn believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Having practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based vegan diet that Dr. Kahn truly began to delve into the realm of non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics, and nutrition-based recovery protocols.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/is-it-healthier-to-walk-in-forests-vs-cities-forest-bathing
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87704-2
https://worldhealth.net/news/urban-green-and-blue-spaces-linked-less-coronary-artery-calcification/
