Scientists at the University of Surrey in England have found that people who prefer to stay up late and wake up late (the so-called "owls") have a higher risk of premature death compared to early waking up early. This was announced in a press release on MedicalXpress.
The study involved more than 433 thousand people aged 38 to 73 years, who were divided into four chronotypes: morning, moderate morning, evening and moderate evening. The condition of the volunteers was monitored for six and a half years.
It turned out that "owls" have a 10 percent higher risk of premature death from various causes, including cardiovascular diseases, than "larks." In addition, they are more likely to suffer from diabetes, psychological and nervous disorders.
According to scientists, if it is possible to prove that the chronotype of a person is to some extent determined genetically, then this indicates the need to change the daily routine for "owls", including the postponement of the beginning of the working day. Those who are forced to stay up late and wake up late due to the inability to shift their biological clock, live in a world adapted for "larks", which is why they are prone to stress and disruptions in the daily rhythm.
It is known that the transition to daylight saving time provokes an increase in the number of heart attacks. With an estimated 1.3 billion people who are owls, scientists believe the potential risks may outweigh the benefits of a one-size-fits-all regimen. However, it is still possible to partially shift the biological clock with regular sleep and bright light in the morning.