Light pollution is not so harmless! According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience and led by researchers from Chicago, nighttime light, particularly from streetlights and neon signs, is linked to a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, compared to any other risk factor, such as alcohol consumption. This risk is particularly relevant for people over 65.
In other words, if you constantly leave your blinds open at night, you increase your risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease. To arrive at this conclusion, American researchers analyzed maps of excessive exposure to light, also called light pollution, in 48 states. Scientists from Rush University Medical Center then divided them into 5 groups ranging from the lowest to the highest light intensity.
Exposure to light pollution in young people can have an impact after age 65
According to the results of the study, in people over 65 years of age, light pollution appears to have a greater impact than alcohol abuse, depression and obesity, factors that are known to have a direct link with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the researchers, it is people who were exposed to light pollution when they were young who would be particularly at risk after the age of 65.It is unclear exactly why young people might be more vulnerable, but it could be due to individual differences in sensitivity to light.”, they added.
Using blackout curtains or wearing an eye mask at night can help protect you.
“Knowing this risk factor should make it easier for people – especially those with risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease – to make lifestyle changes, added Dr. Voigt-Zuwala. Easy changes to implement include using blackout curtains or wearing an eye mask while sleeping. This is especially helpful for those who live in areas with high light pollution.”.
The researchers talk about outdoor light, but they point out that indoor light is also likely to be harmful. They are referring in particular to blue light from smartphones. The latter has a big impact on sleep. Using blue light filters, switching to warm light and installing dimmers in the home could effectively reduce exposure to light.
Alzheimer’s disease is not the only one that can be linked to light pollution
This is not the first study to analyze the effects of light pollution: research into the dangers of UV rays joins the list. We have known about them for a long time. However, we were less aware of the dangers of nighttime light exposure.
A 2021 study had also revealed that overexposure to light at night increased the risk of breast cancer by 10 to 14%. The explanation? It suppresses the production of melatonin. The interruption of melatonin production has been described as carcinogenic, particularly for hormone-dependent breast cancers.
Source: www.topsante.com
