Inflammation has been called the silent killer, but being silent in nature may be an inflammation killer. Researchers at Cornell University found that more frequent positive contact with nature was associated with lower circulating levels of three different indicators of inflammation.

Previous studies have shown how exposure to nature and green spaces can positively impact mental health, but this one is different in that it details the impact on different bodily processes. That's encouraging news for people looking to lower the levels of inflammation in their body.

"By focusing on these inflammation markers, the study provides a biological explanation for why nature might improve health," professor Anthony Ong said, "particularly showing how it might prevent or manage diseases linked to chronic inflammation, like heart disease and diabetes."

As someone who grew up in a totally different environment, Ong was curious if and how his new surroundings may be impacting his health. That's what led him down the path of this study.

"Part of it has been inspired by place, being here in Ithaca and being surrounded by nature," he said. "I grew up in Los Angeles—people live in their cars and in traffic. So for me, the study was really trying to answer the question, 'What are the health benefits of nature?'"

Ong's team looked at data from more than 1,200 study participants over a 10-year period. The participants were asked about their experiences in nature as well as how much enjoyment they derived from it. Their physical health was assessed through an exam which included urine and blood analysis which looked for concentrations of three different biomarkers for inflammation.

Even after controlling for variables such as demographics, health behaviors, medication and general well-being, researchers found lower levels of inflammation were consistently associated with more frequent positive contact with nature.

"We tried to get rid of this finding by controlling for a host of factors, but we couldn't get rid of it," Ong said. "So it's a pretty robust finding. And it's this sort of nexus of exposure and experience: It's only when you have both, when you are engaging and taking the enjoyment out of it, that you see these benefits.

"It's good to remind ourselves that it's not just the quantity of nature, it's also the quality," said Ong, who once found himself in nature but distracted from his surroundings. "I realized I was physically in a beautiful natural setting, but mentally I was elsewhere. It was a reminder to myself to be more mindful and engaged when I'm in nature, to really soak in the benefits."

Click here to read more in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.