Study of 100,000 people examines the impact of sleep quality and duration on disease risk
A comprehensive analysis by Peking University researchers on 100,000 individuals revealed that REM and deep sleep stages reduce the risk of many disorders appearing in later life.
A large-scale study examining the health data of approximately 100,000 people showed that not only the duration of sleep, but also its quality attributes such as REM and deep sleep, directly affect the risk of many diseases emerging in advanced age.
Comprehensive Data Analysis
Researchers from Peking University investigated the links between sleep patterns and diseases by examining the health records of 95,559 individuals in the UK Biobank database.
The Role of Sleep Stages
Study participants wore accelerometers on their wrists for seven days, and scientists analyzed total sleep duration as well as REM and deep sleep stages in detail.
Benefits of REM Sleep
Researchers determined that longer durations of REM sleep are associated with a reduced risk of contracting 83 diseases, including heart failure, dementia, and Parkinson's.
Effects of Deep Sleep
Longer durations of deep sleep, on the other hand, were found to be directly linked to a reduced risk of seven different conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and clinical depression.
Risks of Sleep Irregularity
Increased time spent awake after initially falling asleep and night-to-night sleep irregularities increase the risk of issues such as anxiety and substance use disorders.
Duration and Observations
While individuals who regularly sleep 6 to 8 hours were observed to carry the lowest risk, it was emphasized that those who sleep less than 5 hours or more than 8 hours are at risk for various health problems.