Optimal Sleep Duration Linked to Slower Biological Aging

Sleeping between 6.4 and 7.8 hours each night is associated with the slowest markers of biological aging, according to data from nearly half a million participants. In contrast, getting fewer than six hours or more than eight hours of daily sleep may speed up the functional aging of the body.

Researchers from Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center led the study, which analyzed the condition of 17 organ systems using 23 different biological clocks. The team applied artificial intelligence to examine data from the UK Biobank, focusing on tools that measure the functional age of organs and tissues rather than chronological age. Lead author Junhao Wen stated that the findings do not mean sleep alone controls the pace of aging, but they do suggest that too little or too much sleep could be a sign of declining overall health.

Measuring Biological Age

The researchers built their measurements on diverse data, including medical images, proteins, and metabolic indicators. By constructing multiple models to gauge the aging of organs like the liver using different biomarkers, they gained a deeper understanding of sleep’s impact on body health. Biological aging refers to the gradual decline in the efficiency of body functions, including cells’ ability to repair themselves, which increases the risk of disease and death.

Links to Multiple Health Issues

The study found that insufficient sleep was linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and heart rhythm disorders. Both too little and too much sleep were also associated with respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, along with digestive issues such as gastritis and acid reflux. Researchers believe that long sleep may affect mental health through changes in the brain and body fat levels, particularly in older adults.

Wen emphasized that the study’s importance lies in showing the deep connection between sleep and the functions of various body organs, noting that good sleep is an essential element for maintaining metabolic balance and immune system health. Health experts recommend keeping regular sleep schedules, reducing screen time before bed, and avoiding caffeine in the evening to improve sleep quality.

The study was published in the journal Nature.