Many people know that sleep affects energy levels and mood, but according to a new study published in the journal Nature, sleep may also be linked to the risk of several diseases.
Researchers found connections between poor sleep and conditions such as depression, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Sleep habits were also linked to lung and digestive problems, HealthDay News reports.
Measuring the body
The study was based on data from nearly 500,000 people in the United Kingdom.
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Researchers used advanced computer programs to measure the body’s biological aging.
They examined 17 different parts of the body, including the brain, heart, liver, and immune system.
The best sleep pattern
The study showed that people who slept less than six hours or more than eight hours per night were more likely to show signs of accelerated aging.
The best results were seen among people who slept between 6.4 and 7.8 hours each night.
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Researchers believe that sleep plays an important role in the body’s health and function.
They now plan to investigate whether better sleep habits could help slow down the body’s aging process.
Sources: HealthDay News and Nature.
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