Scientists: blue light from screens speeds up the aging process

Biorhythm researchers at the University of Oregon found that exposure to blue light from gadget screens ages the body prematurely. results observationsAge-dependent effects of blue light exposure on lifespan, neurodegeneration, and mitochondria physiology in Drosophila melanogaster / npj Aging published in npj Aging.

Experiments were carried out with fruit flies, which were placed in a dark room. Over time, the insects were transferred to rooms lit by blue LED lights. Thus, the researchers had several groups of subjects at the age of two, 20, 40 and 60 days.

Since the model of the cellular structure of fruit flies is similar to the human one, scientists have a working model of the behavior of the mitochondria of cells. It turned out that under the same conditions of illumination intensity, older insects tolerated blue light much worse than young flies.

According to biologists, this trend is associated with impaired mitochondrial respiratory function. Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate, a chemical element that promotes the reproduction of energy in the cells of organisms.

Note that scientists do not have accurate data on the effect of artificial light on the human body throughout life. Nevertheless, experts urge not to neglect special glasses that protect against blue light from screens, as well as to set the blue radiation blocking mode. on smartphones and computers.