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Biological impacts of autumn: How shorter days affect sleep and weight
The onset of autumn brings changes in light and temperature that significantly impact the human body. Research published in the ‘Journal of Physiological Anthropology’ indicates that reduced daylight affects the internal biological clock, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. Specifically, lower levels of daylight can lead to increased melatonin production, potentially causing earlier fatigue.
A study involving office workers in Sweden demonstrated seasonal fluctuations in daylight intake and the rhythms of melatonin and cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. While these findings may not apply directly to southern regions like Germany, they highlight the importance of daylight for biological orientation. Additionally, exposure to bright artificial light in the evening can delay the internal clock and make falling asleep more difficult.
Regarding weight gain, a study published in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’ involving 195 adults in the US found that weight increases slightly during the winter months. On average, participants gained approximately 0.37 kilograms between late November and the new year, with a total average increase of 0.48 kilograms compared to early autumn, which is notably less than common anecdotal claims of much larger increases.
Entities
Germany · Journal of Physiological Anthropology · New England Journal of Medicine · Sweden · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] A study of Swedish office workers showed annual changes in daylight intake and the daily rhythms of melatonin and cortisol. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Bright artificial light in the evening can shift the internal clock and make falling asleep more difficult. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] During the winter, weights were on average 0.48 kg higher than in early autumn. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] The body secretes more melatonin, a hormone involved in sleep regulation, during the night. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Reduced daylight affects the internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A US study of 195 adults found average weight increased by 0.37 kg between Thanksgiving and the New Year. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de