Taking a nap is known to be healthy as it helps to regenerate energy and provide rest. But what about a short nap in the afternoon, also known as a “power nap”? Are there any health benefits to taking a nap in the afternoon? Scientists have recently investigated whether it is healthy to take a nap in the afternoon. Researchers are divided on whether taking a nap in the afternoon is beneficial for health. However, a study by the American College of Cardiology shows that a short nap in the afternoon increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is one of the leading risk factors for arterial diseases that can lead to heart problems and diabetes. The study by Tomohide Yamada and his team at the University of Tokyo used data from 307,237 people and found that a nap of more than 40 minutes increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. Naps of more than 90 minutes increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 50 percent. The study concludes that a short nap of less than 40 minutes is not harmful to health. A nap of less than 30 minutes even reduces the risk of developing metabolic syndrome later in life.
It is important to enjoy everything in moderation, including a power nap. The researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center confirm that taking a nap is generally not harmful to health. However, it should not exceed three hours per week and should not become a habit. The researchers recommend that women over 69 should avoid taking long naps as it increases the risk of premature death. A seven-year study by the California Pacific Medical Center with 8,101 American women found that those who took a nap every day died 44 percent earlier than those who took an irregular and short nap.
In conclusion, taking a short nap in the afternoon is not harmful to health, but it should be done in moderation. A nap of less than 40 minutes is not harmful to health, and a nap of less than 30 minutes even reduces the risk of developing metabolic syndrome later in life. However, naps of more than 40 minutes increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, and naps of more than 90 minutes increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 50 percent. Therefore, it is important to enjoy everything in moderation, including a power nap.
