Daily naps could slow brain shrinkage with age: study | Top Vip News

Health

By Adriana Diaz

A power nap can boost your brain.

A study published in Sleep Health magazine found that taking a quick nap during the day can correlate with increased total brain volume.

As we age, our brains shrink in size and weight by about 5% per decade after turning 40, and possibly more rapidly after turning 70, contributing to the changes in cognitive function that come with aging. . according to the National Institutes of Health.

But the new study found that taking a quick nap can help.

To be exact, those who napped frequently were found to be 2.6 to 6.5 years older than those who went through the day without a nap.

“Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be part of the puzzle that could help preserve brain health as we age,” said Dr. Victoria Garfield, lead author of the study. said in a statement.

Researchers from University College London and the University of the Republic of Uruguay analyzed health and cognitive function outcomes between those who have a genetic predisposition to wanting to take a nap and those who do not.

The team used Mendelian randomization, which “examines how certain behaviors, environments, or other factors lead to specific health outcomes by looking at genetic differences that affect how people’s bodies react to the behavior, environment, or other factors.” . according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“By looking at genes established at birth, Mendelian randomization avoids confounding factors that occur throughout life and that may influence associations between napping and health outcomes,” lead author Valentina Paz said in a statement. .

He explained that the study was able to find a “casual link” to show that napping directly led to greater total brain volume.”

However, the researchers noted that all participants were of white European descent, meaning the results may not hold true for other ethnicities.

But this study is not the first to demonstrate the benefits of napping.

Setting the alarm for about 20 to 30 minutes can improve alertness, mood, and memory and reduce stress while preventing grogginess. according to the Sleep Foundation.

Experts have even claimed that taking a nap can make you a better employee and a better parent.

The research comes as more people are getting serious about sleep – Google searches for “sleep” hit an all-time high last year.