By Neuroscience News
Do you ever enjoy an afternoon nap? A recent groundbreaking study suggests that habitual daytime napping might have an unexpected benefit – preserving brain health and slowing down brain shrinkage that occurs with aging.
The study aimed to establish a causal relationship between habitual napping and good brain health.
To understand this connection, the team used a technique known as Mendelian randomisation. They examined 97 DNA snippets linked to the likelihood of habitual napping. By comparing measures of brain health between those genetically inclined to nap and those who were not, they unearthed some surprising results.
One of the most exciting findings was the link between habitual napping and larger total brain volume - an indicator of robust brain health and lower risk of dementia and other diseases. In essence, habitual nappers seem to have 'younger' brains.
This discovery was possible due to the identification of genetic variants influencing our likelihood to nap from an earlier study. These variants were identified using self-reported napping data, supported by physical activity measurements from wrist-worn accelerometers.
While this study opens new avenues, the researchers acknowledge some limitations. The findings may not immediately apply to non-white European ancestries. Additionally, while no data on nap duration was available, previous research recommends naps of 30 minutes or less for optimal cognitive benefits.
So, should you start scheduling daily naps? It's a personal decision, but it's comforting to know that if you're part of the one-third of adults over 65 who regularly nap, you might be doing your brain a favor.
Whether you're a habitual napper or not, this study uncovers a fascinating aspect of brain health and aging. And who knows, maybe that cozy afternoon nap is more than just a delightful luxury—it could be a brain-boosting habit!