Regular sleep better for women’s health - research

12-10-2010

Achieving a regular sleep duration of between six-and-a-half and seven-and-a-half hours per night could be the secret of a long and healthy life for women, according to data from a US research programme. The University of California San Diego investigation looked at the sleep patterns of 459 women over a four year period, between 1995 and 1999. The overall health of the individuals was assessed in relation to their sleep quality, which was monitored with a wrist device.

Although the ‘optimum’ sleep duration – identified by the health of the women - was slightly lower than the often-quoted eight hours, the study found that women who regularly slept less than five hours per night were more likely to suffer serious health issues.

In addition to the sleep duration findings, the study also showed that the condition of obstructive sleep apnea was not linked to an increased chance of death.

The results of the study were published in the journal Sleep Medicine.

See the mattress