Scientists debunk myth about benefits of taking 10,000 steps a day

Despite the popular belief that 10,000 steps a day are necessary for health, just 2,600 steps a day can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (EJPC), Report informs.

Researchers analyzed results from 12 previous studies that evaluated the relationship between the number of steps taken and cardiovascular risk. In total, more than 111 thousand people participated in them. The analysis found that walking just 2,517 steps per day was associated with an 8% reduction in the risk of death from all causes, and walking 2,735 steps was associated with an 11% reduction in the risk of death from all causes. The results may be encouraging for people who fear the challenge of walking 10,000 steps a day.

The biggest benefit came from 8,763 steps per day: They reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 60%. Further increases in step count did not provide additional benefits, but scientists noted that being more active could increase muscle mass or improve mental health.