A lengthy 37-year study has delivered reassuring news for night owls: staying up late may not necessarily lead to a shorter lifespan, as long as you steer clear of excessive drinking and smoking. The research, carried out by Finnish scientists and published in the journal Chronobiology International, sheds light on the link between nocturnal habits and mortality.
Contrary to previous beliefs, the study found that those who preferred burning the midnight oil had only a nine per cent higher risk of death from all causes. However, the key factor in this risk was identified as smoking and alcohol consumption.
To put it plainly, if you stay up late but don’t smoke and keep alcohol in check, your risk of premature death isn’t higher than those early birds who catch the worm.
Christer Hublin, the lead author from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, emphasized that late-night enthusiasts can take steps to lower their risk of untimely demise. “It is important for evening individuals to carefully consider their alcohol and tobacco consumption,” he advised.
Hublin pointed out that when people sleep, known as their chronotype, has minimal impact on mortality, regardless of other factors. He criticized studies that simply asked participants if they were early or evening people, calling for more accurate methods.
Notably, the study did not consider substances beyond alcohol and tobacco, and Hublin mentioned that cocaine, in particular, has been linked to people shifting from early risers to night owls. So, for those who prefer the moonlight, it seems moderation in all things is the key to a longer, healthier life.
