We’ve all heard that eating well, getting regular exercise, and staying socially active can help us age better and stay mentally sharp. But one surprisingly low-effort habit should probably be on that list too: getting enough daylight. A new study suggests that getting a modest amount of bright natural light each day is linked to a lower risk of developing dementia later on.
Researchers tracked nearly 90-thousand adults who didn’t have dementia, measuring their daylight exposure for one week and then following them for about eight years. Here’s what they found:
- People who got around 42 minutes of bright daylight a day were about 17% less likely to develop dementia than those who got less light.
- The link held even after researchers accounted for other dementia-related factors like diet, obesity, physical activity, and heart health.
- The association was even stronger among people with the APOE4 gene variant, which is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- One possible explanation is that daylight helps regulate circadian rhythm, which supports sleep, immune function, and other processes tied to brain health.
- Better sleep may also help the brain carry out maintenance and clear metabolic waste that can build up over time.
The study doesn’t prove that 42 minutes of sunlight prevents dementia, but it does add natural light to the growing list of everyday habits that may support healthy aging. And unlike a lot of wellness advice, this one doesn’t require a supplement, a subscription, or really much effort at all.⠀
Source: NY Post