Do art portfolios help for college apps?

I've heard lots of people saying they want to submit art portfolios with like, their college apps when they apply for undergrad. Even if you're not majoring in art, would submitting an art portfolio help, as an extra "extracurricular?" Or is it just a waste if you're not planning on majoring in it? Because I really like art, and I do lots of paintings and drawings, but I'm not planning on majoring in it or going to art school because I'm really not looking to be an artist, I want a career focused on medicine or journalism or something, and to keep art as a hobby most likely.