An Oxford University academician has determined cracking your bedroom window at night before you hit the hay can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
A cool breeze moving through the window screen really does significantly enhance health. This breeze decreases the bedroom temperature just enough to produce numerous health benefits. The findings were made public following the recent discovery of a connection between global warming and the rising prevalence of diabetes.
The Power of the Nighttime Breeze
Studies show an increase in temperature by a single degree has the potential to lead to 100,000 new diabetes cases in the U.S. each year. This phenomenon occurs as a result of the body’s reduced ability to burn brown fat to allow for a comfortable temperature. A body incapable of burning adequate amounts of brown fat to maintain the proper temperature will prove especially sensitive to insulin. This increased sensitivity causes subsequent weight gain.
About the Research
Oxford University’s Professor Ashley Grossman led the research effort to determine if exposure to the nighttime breeze and a lower bedroom temperature, could combat obesity and type 2 diabetes. Grossman determined the evidence from the research indicates decreasing body temperature really can improve health and well-being. The findings show decreasing body temperature by even a few degrees enhances the health of those suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Grossman also stated residing in a cold environment is beneficial as it heighten sensitivity to insulin and wards off diabetes. However, Grossman’s findings do not indicate insufficient sleep at a reduced temperature will prevent obesity or diabetes.
Just about everyone requires between six and nine hours of sleep to function at the optimal level. Those who do not enjoy peaceful sleep in which REM is reached will not feel rested and prepared to take on the day ahead.
More Evidence Shows Lower Nighttime Temperatures Enhance Health
Scientists have reviewed the prevalence of diabetes and temperature data for those living in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. One degree centigrade increase in temperature increases the incidence of diabetes by 0.34 for every 1,000 people.
Researchers at the Maastricht University Medical Centre in the Netherlands shows moving the home’s temperature down to a level between 15 C and 17 C for at least two hours per day also helps spur weight loss. The moral of the story is cold temperatures spur the body to burn calories to remain warm.
Reaching a bedroom temperature similar to that of the outdoor air also seems to improve health. In a nutshell, exposing oneself to cold temperatures increases metabolic rate.
Those in the health industry are well aware of the importance of the metabolism. However, laymen are often uninformed about why metabolic rate matters so much in the context of human health. The metabolic rate is the rate that calories are burned. Low temperatures speed up the metabolic rate. The impact of cold air on the metabolism is quite significant: cold temperatures speed up the metabolism by 30 percent, permitting the burning of 400 calories in a single hour.
Human Body Fat Basics
Human bodies have two types of fat: white and brown. White fat is responsible for holding calories. Brown fat is necessary as it is transformed into energy and subsequent heat to keep the body warm. Brown fat should be kept cool in order to ensure it is stimulated and spurs the loss of weight.
There is link between diabetes and a relatively cold human body yet most of those at the forefront of science shun the idea that this link is in any way connected to climate change.
Why the Findings Matter
Those who are concerned with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes will find it interesting to know a cold bedroom can improve health. Unfortunately, it appears as though the planet is warming. It is not feasible for everyone to relocate to northern locations with comparably cool temperatures. However, it is within your power to open your window at night, even if it is just a slight crack, so the cool air flows in and promotes improved health throughout the night.
If you live in a particularly noisy neighborhood or urban space and do not want to open the window, turn down your thermostat before you hit the sack. As long as your sleeping environment keeps you cool and comfortable, you will stand that much better of a chance to maintain or even improve your health.
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