Sleeping too much or not getting enough shut-eye can be detrimental to your heart health.
Researchers from the European Society of Cardiology have found that a sweet spot of six to eight hours sleep a night is most beneficial for the heart health of adults. More or less is detrimental, they say.
The researchers found that both short and long sleepers had a greater risk of developing or dying from coronary artery disease or stroke. Compared to adults who slept six to eight hours a night, short and long sleepers had 11 per cent and 33 per cent greater risks, respectively, of developing or dying from coronary artery disease or stroke.
Study author Dr Epameinondas Fountas, of the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre, Athens, Greece, said: “Our findings suggest that too much or too little sleep may be bad for the heart. More research is needed to clarify exactly why, but we do know that sleep influences biological processes like glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and inflammation — all of which have an impact on cardiovascular disease.”
It has also been proven that getting the right amount of sleep is better for your overall fitness, helps you rejuvenate your mind and even has positive benefits for Parkinson’s patients.
If you are struggling to sleep, find out why eating foods such as Tart cherries and almonds, helps promote a better nights rest.
