Scientists Reveal The Optimal Amount of Sleep For Lower Dementia Risk
A study from York University suggests that 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is the optimal amount to minimize the risk of developing dementia. The research also highlights that physical activity and limiting sedentary time are crucial factors in brain health.
Why it matters
Providing actionable lifestyle guidelines based on statistical analysis helps individuals make informed decisions about long-term health.
A lack of good-quality sleep has long been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia, but recent research goes further – giving us an optimal amount of overnight slumber to minimize dementia risk later in life.
Using data pooled from 69 previous studies, a team at York University in Canada ran a statistical analysis to look for associations with dementia for three factors: physical activity, time spent sitting , and sleep duration.
These are all variables we can control, up to a point, and the number crunching showed that 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night was the sweet spot for minimizing dementia risk .
In addition, the researchers found that prolonged sitting (more than 8 hours a day) and a lack of physical activity (less than 150 minutes a week) were also linked to a significant increase in the chances of getting dementia.
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