2023-05-03 11:52:36
Take a nap ? Yes, but not too long! A new study conducted by a team of American researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and published in the journal Obesity, notes that micronaps are the most beneficial. On 3,275 adults from Murcia, in Spain where the siesta is a real institution, the researchers were interested in the impact of their duration. And taking a micronap of less than 30 minutes would reduce the risk of obesity, unlike long ones, but it would also improve blood pressure, as well as work productivity.
The benefits of a short nap
The study thus confirms the advice issued by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in terms of naps, recommending in particular to be limited to 20 or 30 minutes maximum, and not to take a nap following 3 p.m.
“This study shows the importance of considering nap duration and raises the question of whether short naps may offer unique benefits. Many institutions are realizing the benefits of short naps, primarily for work productivity, but also increasingly for overall health. If future studies confirm the benefits of short naps, I believe this might be the driving force behind the discovery of optimal nap times and a cultural shift in the recognition of long-term health effects and increases in productivity. that can result from this way of life”, adds Professor Frank Scheer, co-author of the study.
Forget the long nap
In this study, the researchers wanted to measure the basic metabolic characteristics of the participants, collect data on their naps and other factors related to their lifestyle. One of the objectives being whether they took a nap of more or less than 30 minutes, or no nap at all. Verdict? Scientists suggest that naps longer than 30 minutes – considered long naps – increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome, which results in physiological signs that in turn increase risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
“Not all naps are the same. Duration, position, and other specific factors can affect the health effects of a nap. A previous study we conducted in a large population in the UK found that naps were associated with an increased risk of obesity. We wanted to determine if this was true in a country where naps are more ingrained in culture, in this case Spain, and how the duration of naps is linked to metabolic health”, develops Professor Marta Garaulet, lead author of the study, in a press release.
In detail, the group of scientists observed higher values, whether with respect to waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, or blood pressure, in participants who took advantage of long naps, for example. compared to those who did not at all. Long naps were also associated with later sleep and meal times, higher energy intake at lunchtime, and smoking; factors that might also explain the increased risk of obesity and blood pressure.
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#Shorter #long
