"Daytime naps over 30 minutes are harmful"…Increased obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome↑

Research Team at Boston Brigham Women's Hospital Announces
'People Who Nap for More Than 30 Minutes' Show Worsened Health Indicators

A study has found that taking naps longer than 30 minutes can increase the risk of obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

Recently, a research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston, USA, analyzed the correlation between daytime sleep, sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic syndrome in 3,275 adults living in the Murcia region of Spain, with an average age of 41. The results were published in the journal Obesity.

A study has found that taking naps longer than 30 minutes can increase the risk of obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
[Photo source=Pixabay]

The researchers divided the participants into three groups: 'those who do not take naps,' 'those who nap for less than 30 minutes,' and 'those who nap for more than 30 minutes.'

The analysis showed that individuals who napped for more than 30 minutes had worse health indicators compared to those who did not nap. Those who napped for more than 30 minutes had higher BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, and other metabolic syndrome-related measures. Additionally, most of these individuals tended to go to bed late, consumed larger lunch portions, and had unhealthy habits such as smoking.

On the other hand, people who took short naps within 30 minutes did not show increases in obesity or metabolic changes, and their likelihood of elevated systolic blood pressure was also lower.

The research team predicted that the results of this study could be a step toward more comprehensive research.

Marka Garaulet, a visiting professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, stated, "Nap duration, sleep location, and certain specific factors can influence the relationship between napping and health," adding, "This study highlights the importance of regulating nap time."

Another researcher, Frank A. J. L. Scheer, a professor of neuroscience, explained that this study has implications for understanding the health benefits of napping. While previous studies mainly focused on the cognitive enhancement effects of naps, this study examined the association between napping and cardiovascular metabolism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.