Getting enough sleep plays a major role in healthy ageing. Scientists have investigated how sleep duration is related to the ageing of various organs in our body. Their research shows that sleeping too little, less than six hours, as well as sleeping too much, more than eight hours, can accelerate the ageing process of vital organs such as the heart, lungs and immune system.
The study was conducted among a large group of people, well over half a million, and shows a so-called ‘U-shaped’ relationship between sleep duration and the biological age of organs. This means that both short and long sleep durations have adverse effects on the body's health. An optimal sleep window was found to be approximately 6.4 to 7.8 hours per night, during which the ageing process is at its slowest.
These biological clocks measure the condition of 17 different organ systems. The study underlines the importance of good sleep as a modifiable factor that can contribute to the maintenance of a healthy and vital body, especially as we get older. With a sleep duration within the optimal window, the risk of premature organ deterioration can be reduced.
Therefore, for anyone working on healthy and active ageing, it is wise not only to look at sleep quality, but also to pay attention to the amount of sleep per night. Achieving a good balance in sleep duration helps to remain fit and healthy for longer.
Source: Neuroscience News
