According to scientists from Stanford University, the alternation of summer and winter time can significantly increase the risk of stroke. In their research, they have shown that annual changes in time disrupt circadian rhythm, ie the internal biological clock that regulate the functioning of the body. And only in the US can the alternation of time threatened with a stroke of approximately three hundred thousand people per year.
Scientists simulated a scenario when the US would switch to its permanent use after switching back to the standard time. It is estimated that this step could prevent approximately 300,000 cases of stroke per year. Permanent summer time would be less effective, yet it would prevent about 220,000 cases.
“Staying at a standard time or summer time is definitely better than changing hours twice a year“said the professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences Jamie Zeitzer. It follows from his study that frequent time shifts burden the body with a circadian burden – a number of hours for which biological clock must adapt to social rhythm.
Twice a year changed time was the greatest load (21 hours), while a lasting standard time of 18.5 hours and a permanent summer time of 19.6 hours. “The more light you get at the bad time, the weaker the circadian rhythm. All the things that follow it – for example your immune system or energy – then don’t work so well,“explained Zeitzer in a statement.
In the research, he also found that stopping changes in time could also lead to a reduction in obesity in the population: 2.6 million cases in lasting standard AO 1.7 million cases in permanent summer time. On the contrary, there has been no significant impact on other health problems such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease or depression.
