New research led by UCL and the University of the Republic in Uruguay suggests that regular daytime naps may benefit brain health by slowing the rate of age-related brain shrinkage.
The study aims to diminish any lingering stigma associated with daytime napping and highlights potential health advantages.
The average difference in brain volume between habitual nappers and non-nappers equated to a potential aging difference of 2.6 to 6.5 years, implying that a 30-minute nap per day might contribute to slowing down the process of brain shrinkage.
Dr. Victoria Garfield, senior author from the MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL, notes, “Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older.”
The study, published in Sleep Health, analyzed data from individuals aged 40 to 69, focusing on a causal relationship between daytime napping and brain health.
Examining 97 snippets of DNA linked to habitual napping, researchers compared brain health and cognition in individuals genetically predisposed to nap with those lacking these genetic markers.
Overall, those genetically prone to napping exhibited a larger total brain volume, suggesting a potential causal link between habitual napping and brain health. While the study does not establish whether naps can prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s, it underscores the importance of overall brain health in protecting against dementia.
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