A connection that does not seem logical at first glance: Those who take their smartphone to bed are more likely to suffer from colon cancer, according to the thesis of some researchers.
The sleep-inhibiting effect of the blue light emitted by smartphones has long been known.
Spanish researchers have now found that blue light also has a negative effect on the development of tumors.
According to a study, the risk of colon cancer * increases if one is exposed to blue light too often.
PC monitors and smartphones emit blue light, which has a harmful effect on eyesight.
It has been proven that blue LED light ages the eyes faster *.
But it can also have other negative consequences: Researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health come to the conclusion in a study that evening and nighttime LED light can have an immense influence on the risk of colon cancer.
Disturbed day-night rhythm promotes the development of colon cancer
In their study, the Spanish scientists analyzed the data from 2,000 people from Barcelona and Madrid.
Above all, they investigated the question of how blue light affected their health.
To do this, they used the data from an international space station, which measures, among other things, the blue light level in cities.
The researchers found that people who lived in areas with high blue light exposure had a 60 percent higher risk of developing colon cancer than people who were less exposed.
One of the study directors, Dr.
Manolis Kogevinas, in the journal Epidemiology, warns
that blue light is most often emitted by mobile phone screens, tablets and LED lamps
.
According to Kogevinas, the energy of light can suppress the production of melatonin in the body.
Melatonin cannot develop its sleep-promoting effect properly, resulting in a disturbed day-night rhythm, which in turn has a negative effect on the human hormone balance.
The extent to which the use of smartphones in the evening has an impact still needs to be researched.
"We carried out the study
because colorectal cancer is associated with night shift work and circadian disorders,
" the British news portal The Sun quotes study director Manolis Kogevinas.
Also read:
Melatonin spray as a sleep aid?
That's what experts say.
Prevent colon cancer
Colon cancer is the third most common tumor disease in Germany, as reported by the cancer information service.
To prevent the type of cancer, doctors recommend the following measures:
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
Maintain normal weight.
Eat fiber as often as possible.
These are found in legumes and vegetables, for example.
Avoid red meat and sausages as much as possible.
Drink as little alcohol as possible and try to stop smoking.
Get colorectal cancer screening tests.
Warning: These four pathogens can cause cancer
Warning: These four pathogens can cause cancer
(jg)
*
Merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen digital editorial network
.
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