Khaberni - You may have heard that screen time can affect your sleep, but it turns out it can impact much more than just rest and beauty, causing issues much more severe than eye strain.
Looking at your phone or laptop may also contribute to obesity, diabetes, and cancer, according to recent research.
According to the "New York Post," earlier studies had shown that blue light emitted from screens helps with focus and extends attention span during the day, but it disrupts sleep at night.
This artificial light at night disrupts the circadian rhythm, the body's natural 24-hour cycle that regulates feelings of alertness and sleepiness, hormone production such as melatonin and cortisol, and many other body functions.
Shifting body rhythms
Researchers at Harvard discovered that exposure to blue light for 6.5 hours led to a doubling in the shift of daily rhythms compared to exposure to green light.
Lack of sleep due to screen light at night is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes because our daily rhythms regulate how our bodies respond to insulin and glucose production.
Even one study found that those exposed to more light have a 50% greater chance of developing diabetes.
It has also been proven that exposure to blue light at night increases the chances of gaining weight and obesity, which are another risk factor for diabetes.
Heart issues
Just as the body's natural rhythm controls daily variations in blood pressure and heart rate, disturbance of the "biological clock" can lead to cardiovascular heart problems, such as high blood pressure, increased heart rate, heart failure, and a higher risk of heart disease.
Reducing the time a person spends in front of screens, especially before sleep, can decrease the risk of cancer.
Breast and prostate cancers
A study that researched the effects of blue light wavelengths found that those who sleep with screen lights on have a 1.5 times higher risk of breast cancer, and twice the risk of prostate cancer.
This increased risk of breast cancer in particular may be due to a lack of melatonin.
The blue light emitted from screens inhibits the production of melatonin, which may have anti-cancer properties. Lower levels may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer and tumors.
