Wondering what science has been up to while you’ve been working, working out, sleeping, cooking, streaming? Here are a few science news bits and bobs for your reading pleasure.
First up, great news that we already knew, but science is in our corner: people need 7 vacations a year to reduce stress. Well, duh. But hey, if science says so, maybe work and life will follow? One can always hope… You can find some studies here and here.
New research suggests that cutting sweets doesn’t actually reduce cravings. Here are some details:
A new clinical trial found that adjusting how sweet a person’s diet is does not affect how much they enjoy sweet foods. Whether people ate more or less sweet-tasting items, their preference for sweetness stayed the same.
The study also found no meaningful differences in markers linked to heart disease or diabetes. Over six months, participants who increased or reduced their intake of sweet foods showed similar results across all health measures.
Interesting… Very interesting.
Here’s one that’s not particularly good news for me: a FB post cited a study saying that earlier bedtimes translate into greater longevity.
A recent study reveals a fascinating connection between sleep habits and longevity: people who go to bed before 10 PM live, on average, 6 years longer than late sleepers. Prioritizing early, consistent sleep supports the body’s natural circadian rhythm, improves hormone regulation, and strengthens the immune system.
Early bedtimes help the body repair tissues, consolidate memory, and detoxify the brain. Sleeping late disrupts these processes, leading to higher risks of chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and overall lower life expectancy. Studies also show that people who sleep early often maintain better heart health, stable metabolism, and reduced stress levels.
But I’m a bit skeptical about this. Digging a little deeper, we see that getting even a little more sleep (25 minutes, for example), can confer health benefits both short-term and long-term. We sort of knew that. And, lots of people work on earlier schedules, which means that early to bed and early to rise is a good plan.
BUT BUT– being a night owl when you don’t have to rise early doesn’t seem to be as harmful IF it’s not a symptom of sleep disorder, alcohol or substance use disorder, or depression. (I say this as a completely impartial night owl myself).
I don’t have a scientific study to back me me, but I think sleeping in this condition is to be avoided generally, mainly because it looks very uncomfortable.
Happy week, dear readers!