How being a night owl 'increases your risk of 4 silent killers' | The Sun

MODERN day distractions can make switching off at a reasonable hour almost impossible for some people.

The bottomless pit of entertainment phones now provide, coffee shops on every corner and apps like Netflix all work in sync to throw of our sleep schedules.

But late nights can do more harm than just leaving you feeling a bit groggy in the morning.

Studies have shown staying up until the early hours can also leave you at risk of several silent killers…

1. Heart disease

Staying up into the early hours a few times a week can increase your chances of heart disease, several studies have suggested.

This is because heart and blood vessels are regulated by the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Read more on sleep health

Do you feel TATT? Take NHS test now to diagnose your sleep problem

How you sleep can ‘increase your risk of killer disease’, experts warn

People who nod off later than 11pm are up to 25 per cent more likely to get heart disease or have a stroke, health tech company Huma, found.

A separate study discovered that people with type 2 diabetes are especially at risk.

People with the disease who get less than six hours’ sleep a night doubles the chance of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

2. Type 2 diabetes

Night owls are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who go to bed early, scientists have found.

Most read in Health

HEALTH ALERT

Common condition in pregnancy ‘increases mum’s risk of killer heart problems’

DEADLY BUG

Boy dies of flesh-eating bug after hurting his ankle – the signs you must know

LOVE STUCK

I have C cup boobs – women refuse to date a man with bigger breasts than them

BURNING ISSUE

Warning to anyone burning scented candles at home over serious health risks

A study found those who stay up late were less active in the day and worse at using fat for energy, resulting in a build-up of fats which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Those staying up late were also less sensitive to insulin, potentially harming health, US scientists from Rutgers University in New Jersey, found.

On the other hand, early birds were found to burn fat for energy rather than carbohydrates — thus reducing risk — be more active in the day be and more aerobically fit.

3. Depression 

Staying up late can sometimes feel like you are winning more hours back in the day, which is a good thing, right?

According to sleep expert Jeff Spires staying up till the early hours can actually make you more depressed.

"Going to sleep in the early hours of the morning and waking late morning results in you missing out on a large amount of daylight, especially in the winter months.

"Vitamin D is really important for our health – both physical and emotional.

"A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities, muscle weakness and a weakened immune system, along with increasing your risk of depression and anxiety."

Read More on The Sun

Mums go wild for B&M’s Easter baskets – they’re super cute and an amazing price

Lidl is bringing back its bargain sell-out air fryer – but you have to be quick

4. Cancer

One study published this week found women who go to bed late have almost double the risk of breast cancer than early-risers.

Research, funded by Cancer Research UK examined how sleeping habits affect our chances of developing cancer, and found that larks were 48 per cent less likely to develop cancer and 40 per cent less likely to develop breast cancer.

Source: Read Full Article