It seems the time just before closing our eyes and off to dreamland is when everyone wants to check on their email, Facebook wall, chat with friends, or just check the weather cast for the next day. And we do this from our cozy beds, using our newest smartphones.
But, researchers are tireless in investigating the effects of smartphones on our overall health, and what they discovered is not positive.
Most people worry about mobile phone radiation, but this is not the biggest concern one should have when it comes to the side effects of using mobile phones.
As researchers explain, we should worry about the blue light emitted by smartphones which can cause numerous health issues.
We are naturally exposed to blue light by the sun on a daily basis, as this light is part of the full light spectrum. But, when we are exposed to it during nighttime through the use our smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other LED screen, it can damage your eyesight, as well as suppress the melatonin production – the hormone which helps you sleep.
According to researchers, smartphones are associated with these 3 health problems:
1. Increased Risk of Cancer
The more blue light exposure from smartphones at night, the more sleep problems. Disturbed sleep on the other hand increases the risk of cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer.
Melatonin, the hormone which is suppressed by blue light, is a powerful antioxidant and body’s natural weapon against cancer. So, by using your smartphone just before sleeping on a regular basis, you are actually destroying your body’s defense mechanism against this deadly disease.
2. Sleep Loss
Melatonin regulates your body’s sleep/wake cycle, and blue light disrupts its production. Lack of sleep, in turn, leads to various health problems, including:
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Lack of Memory Recall
- Cardiovascular Problems
- Slower Response Time
- Aged Skin
3. Eye Damage
Blue light exposure damages your retina, leading to loss of central vision – macular degeneration, and cataracts. One doctor shares the story of a 35-year old patient whose eyes with cataracts were in similar condition to those of a 75-year old. He says the main reason for this was smartphone use before sleeping even though this requires further studies.
Tonight, instead of browsing on the Internet before falling asleep, think of what you’ve just read!
Source Business Insider | Healthy Food House | David Wolfe
Image Source Shaw and Underwood
