Sleep plays an important role in healthy ageing. New research shows that both too little and too much sleep can accelerate the ageing process in the body. Scientists looked at 23 different biological ‘clocks’ that measure the degree of ageing.
The study shows that people who sleep for about 6.4 to 7.8 hours daily exhibit the slowest ageing. Those who sleep less or, conversely, more, appear to age faster. This not only affects how we feel, but also the health of vital organs such as the brain, heart and lungs.
Furthermore, it appears that an irregular sleep pattern can have an effect on our metabolism and digestive system. These are processes that are of great importance for the functioning of the body and the prevention of diseases at an older age.
A healthy sleep duration is therefore a simple yet powerful means of countering ageing. Anyone who regularly sleeps between six and eight hours thus contributes to the preservation of their vitality and well-being.
Source: Original article
