Recent research shows that the amount of sleep influences the ageing process of various organs in the body. Scientists discovered that too little or indeed too much sleep can accelerate the ageing process. This means that sleeping both less than 6 hours and more than 8 hours can be detrimental to the health of vital organs such as the heart, the lungs and the immune system.
The study analysed data from a large group of people, approximately half a million, and made clear that an ideal sleep duration exists. This so-called ‘longevity window’ lies between 6.4 and 7.8 hours per night. Within this range, the body appears to recover best and the biological clocks of the organs slow down their ageing.
Sleep is therefore an important, modifiable factor in how healthily we age. Our body uses sleep to recover and strengthen the immune system. When sleep is disrupted, or is too short or too long, it can negatively affect the optimal functioning of various organ systems.
This research highlights the importance of a healthy sleep pattern for maintaining vitality at an older age. For those who are mindful of their sleep duration, this can be a valuable step towards staying fit and healthy for longer.
Source: Neuroscience News
