Some swear by their regenerative powers – but daytime naps of more than one hour may increase the risk of a stroke by almost a quarter, said a study.
While drowsiness for 30 to 40 minutes can increase concentration, research has shown that everything that is 60 minutes can also increase the danger of type 2 diabetes or even premature death.
According to a Yougov study, one in five British regularly makes diurnal naps.
Scientists from the Fudan University Institute in Shanghai have analyzed data on sleep models and the risk of stroke in more than 90,000 people over 50.
They found that those who regularly take a nap for at least one hour at lunchtime were 23% more at risk of a stroke.
Diurnal naps of more than one hour can increase the risk of AVC A type two diabetes, revealed a study (file photo)
Unhealthy sleep routins can cause inflammation of blood vessels providing the brain, believe researchers (file photo)
About 100,000 people a year in the United Kingdom are undergoing a stroke, where a clot off the blood flow to the brain – often causing partial paralysis, speech problems and even death.
The latest study, published in the journal Sleep Medicine, revealed that the risks were the highest in those who were sleeping for less than seven hours at night.
Researchers think that unhealthy sleep routines can cause inflammation of blood vessels providing the brain – increasing the dangers of a clot.
They said, “The day nap is common around the world.
“These results show that there are harmful consequences for health when people have used long naps to compensate for the duration of the night of night sleep.”