Sleep may protect against 83 dangerous diseases: what scientists discovered

Chinese scientists analyzed data from nearly 100,000 people and found a statistical link between sleep characteristics and 156 diseases. A higher proportion of REM sleep in total nightly rest was associated with a lower risk of developing 83 diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental disorders.

Chinese scientists conducted a large-scale study, analyzing data from nearly 100,000 people to determine how various sleep characteristics are related to the body's condition. They found a statistical link between features of nightly rest and 156 diseases. The most notable results were associated with the REM sleep phase: a higher proportion of this phase in total sleep duration was linked to a lower risk of developing 83 diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic disorders, and mental illnesses. However, the scientists emphasize that this is a statistical association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It was also found that excessively long light sleep phases and frequent nighttime awakenings are associated with an increased risk of some mental disorders and musculoskeletal diseases. The researchers note that to assess sleep quality, it is necessary to consider not only its total duration but also the distribution of stages, frequency of awakenings, and continuity.