Beware: Long Naps Increase the Risk of a Serious Illness

Some believe that napping can rejuvenate energy and improve overall health and performance, but a recent Chinese study has shown the opposite, especially in the case of long naps during the day.

Nap and Sleep Hours

A study conducted by Fudan University in Shanghai, China, showed that daytime naps of more than 60 minutes may increase the risk of stroke by about a quarter.

Ideal Nap Frequency and Duration

While napping for 30 to 40 minutes can improve concentration, the study showed that sleeping for more than 60 minutes may also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes or even premature death, according to the British newspaper, the Daily Mail.

According to a YouGov study, which specializes in surveys and research, 1 in 4 Britons take a regular daytime nap.

Key Study Findings

Scientists from the Institute of Nutrition at Fudan University in Shanghai analyzed data on sleep patterns and stroke risk in more than 90,000 people over the age of 50.

They found that those who regularly slept for at least an hour at lunchtime were 23% more likely to have a stroke.

Around 100,000 people in the UK suffer a stroke each year, in which a clot disrupts blood flow to the brain, often causing partial paralysis, speech problems, and even death.

Amount of Sleep

The latest study, published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine, found that the risk was higher in those who slept less than 7 hours a night.

The researchers believe that an unhealthy sleep routine may lead to inflammation in the blood vessels that supply the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. They noted that daytime napping is common worldwide.

The scientists also emphasized that the findings demonstrate that there are adverse health consequences when people use long naps to compensate for short nighttime sleep.