Sleep duration linked to biological aging and organ health

A study published in Nature involving nearly 500,000 individuals from the UK Biobank suggests a link between sleep duration and biological aging. Researchers analyzed 23 biological aging clocks across 17 organs and systems, finding that both very short and very long sleep durations are associated with unfavorable biological aging markers in several systems.

To combat sleep disruption during summer, medical experts recommend specific hygiene practices. Neurologist Marie‑Françoise Vecchierini advises closing shutters at night to mitigate the impact of light pollution, noise, and heat. The National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance notes that maintaining near-total darkness is essential for the secretion of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating the circadian rhythm.