Unexpected benefits of napping

Research suggests that napping may help limit the reduction in brain volume with age, potentially lowering the risk of cognitive disorders.

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health , once people reach age 40, the brain decreases by approximately 5% in size and weight each subsequent decade. From age 70 onwards, the rate of aging accelerates further, leading to impaired cognitive function. Research published in the journal Sleep Health suggests that short afternoon naps may mitigate this.

People who regularly take naps tend to look 2.6 to 6.5 years younger in terms of brain biological development compared to those who don't. Dr. Victoria Garfield, the study's author, stated: "Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps help protect brain health as they age."

Researchers from University College London and the University of the Republic of Uruguay analyzed the health and cognitive function outcomes of people who regularly took naps and those who did not. The scientists used Mendelian randomization (using genetic information to determine the influence of one factor on another) to conduct the study.

A middle-aged man is taking a nap. Photo: Adobe Stock

"By examining genes established at birth, Mendelian randomization eliminates the errors and confounding factors that affect the link between sleep and overall health," said Dr. Valentina Paz, lead author of the study.

Research suggests that napping may directly contribute to a larger overall brain volume. However, experts point out a limitation of the study: the volunteers were all European and white. Therefore, these results may not hold true for other races.

According to the Sleep Foundation, a 20- to 30-minute nap increases alertness, mood, and memory, while reducing stress and preventing lethargy. Many experts even say that napping can make you a better employee or a better parent.

Thuc Linh (According to NY Post )

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