Study Reveals A Surprising Link Between Light Exposure And Dementia Risk

Researchers found this factor predicted dementia better than alcohol consumption, obesity and hearing loss.

Culture & Parenting Reporter, HuffPost

We’re officially entering the dark times, at least when it comes to sunlight – the days will keep getting shorter and shorter as we head toward the winter solstice.

That’s not just a bummer for our moods and energy levels. How much bright light you get during the day may even be linked to your risk of dementia.

A study published in General Psychiatry in June found a 16% reduction in dementia risk among people with higher daytime light exposure.

Researchers also observed that getting less than 42 minutes a day of bright daylight was a better predictor of dementia than six established risk factors: alcohol consumption, obesity, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, air pollution and vitamin D supplement use.

These findings are based on data from 87,577 dementia-free adults in the UK, who had an average age of about 62. Participants wore wrist........

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