Study reveals average sleep duration of 20 countries - with France up top and Japan bottom
Whether you're a morning person or can barely drag yourself out of bed, wherever we are in the world, we all know how important a good night's sleep can be.
Now, scientists have revealed the countries that got the most rest.
According to a study of 50,000 people in 20 different countries, France claims the top spot as the most rested nation, with the average sleeping for seven hours and 52 minutes, while at the bottom's Japan with just six hours and 17 minutes.
That means the average Japanese citizen got over an hour and a half less sleep than their French counterpart - a more than 40-hour difference over a month.
However, while missing out on sleep could lead to a number of health problems, the researchers found that in countries where people got less sleep, they weren't any less healthy.
University of British Columbia's Professor Steven Heine said: 'There is no one-size-fits-all amount of sleep that works for everyone.'
Although doctors commonly recommended eight hours' every night, Professor Heine and his colleagues found that sleep duration varied significantly between countries.
When asked how much sleep they had the previous night, citizens of European countries and Australia tended to be better rested.
Following behind France, those in the Netherlands averaged seven hours and 45 minutes, closely followed by Belgium and New Zealand, where citizens reported sleeping for seven hours 41 minutes, and seven hours 40 minutes, respectively.
On the other hand, residents of Asian countries slept for significantly shorter periods.
In Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore, people reported sleeping for less than seven hours a night, on average.
In the U.S., residents slept for just seven hours and two minutes per night, which put the nation below China and India.
What came as a surprise was that countries where people slept less didn't appear to be any unhealthier.
Even though some Asian countries sleep for two hours less than the recommended eight hours per day, there was no evidence of lower life expectancy or higher rates of heart disease and diabetes.
Curiously, the researchers also discovered that countries with lower amounts of sleep also tended to have lower rates of obesity.
Japanese culture stressed the importance of diligence and hard work, thereby it valued sleeping for shorter periods.
This led to a phenomenon called 'inemuri' or 'sleeping while present', where workers dozed off at their desks or in public due to over-exhaustion.
Such catnaps could be seen as a positive sign of hard work rather than laziness.
Researchers argued that these cultural differences might lead to real medical differences in how much people from different countries should sleep, which could be something for medical professionals to take into account when creating public health advice on bed rest.
Professor Heine concluded: 'Despite the common advice to get eight hours' sleep, our findings suggest that sleep recommendations need to be adjusted based on cultural norms.'
The countries getting the most sleep
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Three ways to improve your health by boosting your daily dose of fibre
HAVING fibre in your diet can help digestion, blood sugar control and managing weight by making you feel full. It can also cut the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer. Yet fewer than one in ten people get the recommended 30g a day. The best way to up your fibre is with your diet. But today, I look at ways you can boost your daily dose. GUMMIES THIS one is a clever idea – Novomins fibre gummies provide 4g of fibre through inulin, which comes from the chicory plant. Inulin is found in prebiotic foods like garlic, onion and bananas. As a supplement, you can get inulin powder. But for convenience these gummies are great. They also contain calcium, vitamin D, B12 and chromium, have a lovely orange flavour and contain no sugar. Very chewy, they last for ages. A bit of a sweet treat to keep your bowels healthy. £15.99 for 60, Azmina Govindji nutrition holiday tips POWDER DRINK IN the past there have been fibre drinks that were thick, gloopy and tough to swallow. But this new one, from the Fast 800, isn't. The powders are a blend of inulin, acacia fibre and green banana resistant starch, which mixes to a smooth drink. The Sleep Blend also contains minerals, amino acids and other natural sleep support ingredients such as magnesium, chamomile, lemon balm extract and passionflower. There is 5.6g of fibre per serving and just 18 calories. You take 10g of the powder and mix with water, warm or cold, up to three hours before bed. It does have a mild lemon flavour, which I didn't love, but it wasn't unpleasant. £22.99 for 30 servings, FOOD 3 A SUGARY biscuit that is good for your gut health sounds bonkers, but JNCK Bakery's new cookies are formulated to have five times more fibre than standard ones. They also include other health-focused improvements, such as 90 per cent less sugar and 50 cent less saturated fat. This has been achieved by incorporating pea protein, prebiotic fibre and a low-sugar, protein-rich chocolate. They come in three flavours – Milky Chocolate, Trippple Chocolate and White Gold Chocolate, and each cookie has around 9g of fibre, 185 calories and 1.5g of sugar. They are rich and chocolatey and taste amazing. My six-year-old loves them and I would buy them knowing that they are slightly healthier than your average cookie.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I invented the 'Death Clock'... and was horrified when it confirmed my worst fears about my own health
Brent Franson wasn't afraid of dying. He was afraid of dying from Alzheimer's disease. He remembers seeing sufferers on TV growing up, with their listless expressions and inability to walk. It left him certain he did not want to develop the devastating condition. His worst fear was revealed when he used the Death Clock - an artificial intelligence that predicts - down to the minute - when and how a person will die. Franson invented the app, which analyzes a person's body metrics and lifestyle, and input his own information. The 43-year-old was shocked when the Death Clock projected his demise at 76 years old. Among possible causes of his death: Alzheimer's. It made sense, Franson thought. In his 20s, he had become addicted to anti depressants and sedatives, which left him unable to sleep properly for a decade - a risk factor for neurological decline - and he had a gene that predisposed him to dementia. Franson was also working late, eating large late-night dinners and balancing his role as husband and father-of-three. Determined to change his fate, however, Franson made major lifestyle changes - becoming what he called a 'sleep athlete.' He fine-tuned his schedule to make time for rest and exercise and to create a better work-life balance. One year later, he ran his information through the Death Clock again and it revised its estimate — adding an extra nine years to his life expectancy. The most likely cause of death? Alzheimer's was still a possibility, but so were cardiovascular diseases and cancer. 'Something does have to kill you eventually,' Franson told He added: 'My biggest fear in life, it's not death. It's Alzheimer's. Just the thought of having to live with Alzheimer's — so this was really a wake-up call for me.' As the aging population of the US continues to grow, so will the rates of dementia. Currently, an estimated 6.8million Americans have Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia - the vast majority of whom are over 65 years old. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. A lack of sleep - especially a lack of deep sleep - has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's in numerous studies. Experts say it stops the body from clearing out waste products from the brain — raising the risk of dangerous amyloid beta protein clumps forming that raise someone's risk of the disease. More than one in three adults — 50 to 70million people — regularly do not meet the CDC's recommendation of at least seven hours of sleep every night. One study has suggested sleeping six or fewer hours per night before age 70 is linked to a 30 percent increased risk of dementia compared to people getting seven hours or more. It can also drive other unhealthy behaviors, like exercising less or eating more sugary treats, which can also raise risk. To boost his sleep, and slash his risk of Alzheimer's, Franson began by banning all mobile phones from the bedroom. He set a consistent bedtime of 9.30pm, and made sure to have his last meal at 5.30pm every night. Scientists say a consistent bedtime helps the body's circadian rhythm while eating too close to bedtime means the body is still digesting, disrupting sleep. Some suggest it can take three to four hours for a meal to transit into the intestines. He also lowered the bedroom temperature to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Experts recommend sleeping at temperatures between 60 and 67 degrees to reduce the body's internal temperature and ensure a restful night's sleep. He had two sets of blackout blinds installed in his bedroom, as well. One that descends horizontally from the ceiling, and another that moves vertically across the window, to block out all light while he sleeps. Another lifestyle change was cutting out alcohol. Alcohol has also been linked to sleep disruption, reducing the amount of time spent in REM sleep — a stage for memory consolidation — disrupting the sleep cycle. The Alzheimer's Society says drinking alcohol also reduces the volume of the brain's white matter, which helps the brain transmit signals between different regions. This can lead to issues with the way the brain functions. Alcohol can also shrink the parts of the brain involved in memory. Franson also makes sure to exercise during the day, saying he alternates between weight lifting, cardio exercises and yoga. A July 2022 study published in the journal Neurology analyzed the health information of 501,400 people from a British health database over 11 years. Researchers found people who engaged in consistent vigorous activity — sports or working out — had a 35 percent reduced risk of developing dementia. Even people who reported completing household chores saw a benefit and had a 21 percent lower risk of dementia. A separate October 2022 meta-analysis of 38 international studies found people who engaged in activities like regularly walking, running, dancing, playing sports or swimming had a 17 percent reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those who did not. And while there is plenty of fancy and expensive health tech, Franson said sleep, diet and exercise are more than 90 percent of the puzzle of longevity. He added that nine percent was cancer screenings and about one percent was 'all this crazy stuff that people like to talk about.' Franson added: 'The discussion in the longevity space is often focused on the wrong thing. 'People devote a lot of time talking about things like Ashwaganda or full-body scans when, compared to sleep, diet and exercise, these are going to make only tiny incremental differences.'
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
The six signs you're not drinking enough water
When did you last have a decent drink of water? We all know we should down more H₂O, yet the average Briton sips less than half the recommended six to eight glasses a day, shows recent research by PureGym. This doesn't just leave us feeling parched, it can put us at risk of dehydration and long-term health issues. ' Water is essential for life and plays a vital role in nearly every body process,' says Stavros A. Kavouras, a professor of nutrition and director of the Hydration Science Lab at Arizona State University. 'It helps regulate your temperature, transport nutrients, remove waste and lubricate your joints. Proper hydration aids digestion, supports kidney and heart health, and enhances physical performance.' The human body is around 60 per cent water, but we constantly lose fluid – about 2 to 2.5 litres a day – through our sweat, urine, stools and breath. Replacing that fluid regularly is crucial. 'Many of us are mildly dehydrated or 'under-hydrated' without realising it,' says Prof Kavouras. 'This can subtly, yet significantly, impact how we feel and function. More importantly, it's linked to chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and dementia, which in turn means a reduced life expectancy.' In hot weather, dehydration can escalate quickly, potentially leading to collapse or even death. The risk rises if you're older, taking multiple medications or have sickness and diarrhoea. Dehydration is one of the most common reasons for A&E admissions in the elderly. Here are the telltale symptoms to watch out for: 1. You're thirsty Feeling parched? You're already mildly dehydrated. ' Thirst is the first stage of dehydration,' says Dileep Lobo, a professor of gastrointestinal surgery at University of Nottingham, who researches fluid and electrolyte balance. 'Once you've lost two per cent of your body weight in fluid (1.4 litres for a 70kg person), it triggers receptors in the brain which make you feel thirsty. Mild dehydration can happen easily if you're out in the sun or working in a warm office and not drinking much. You lose quite a lot of water through your sweat, especially if you're not acclimatised.' At this point, dehydration is easily reversed by drinking fluids. 'If you replace the water you've lost, you'll feel better immediately,' says Prof Lobo. 'The fluid enters your bloodstream and corrects the imbalance.' Our sense of thirst declines with age, so sip water throughout the day. urine is darker Check the colour of your urine. If it's honey coloured, you need to drink more. If it's darker brown, you may be seriously dehydrated. 'Once thirst occurs, your body starts holding on to water,' explains Prof Lobo. 'Your kidneys send less water to the bladder, making your urine more concentrated.' This is a major risk factor for kidney stones. 'If you don't drink enough, your kidneys have to work really hard and this raises your risk of certain diseases, including urinary tract infections, especially if you're a woman,' adds Dr Lewis James, a reader in human nutrition at Loughborough University. Kidney function declines with age, making dehydration more likely, so keep an eye on your urine output. Ideally, you'll be passing urine about seven times a day, and it should be transparent yellow. 3. You've got brain fog The brain is 73 per cent water so your brain cells can struggle to function once you're dehydrated. 'Even a low level of dehydration can reduce cognitive skills such as memory, attention and motor coordination,' says Dr James. 'This may affect your performance whether you're working in an office, driving your car or deciding if it's safe to cross the road.' A study in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found 45 per cent of doctors and nurses were dehydrated by the end of their shifts, and their short-term memory was impaired. Just drinking a 300ml glass of water has been shown to improve memory recall. As dehydration progresses, you can become confused and disorientated. 4. Headaches Dehydration is a common trigger for headaches. As fluid leaves your brain, it can put pressure on the pain receptors and nerves in the brain's lining. The pain can worsen when you bend and turn your head or move around. Most dehydration headaches improve within an hour or two, once you've rehydrated and rested. Stay out of the sun and try putting a cool compress on your forehead. A dehydration headache can turn into migraine, so try to drink fluids even if you feel nauseous – small sips are best. 'Drinking enough water can help reduce risk of a migraine attack through dehydration,' says Pippa Coulter, health information manager for The Migraine Trust. A study in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience found migraine pain, duration and frequency was significantly lower in patients who drank more water. 5. You're tired and listless Dehydration is behind one in ten GP consultations for fatigue, according to a study of 300 GPs by the Natural Source Water Association. Regularly sipping water keeps your body and brain energised, especially if you're active. During hot weather, you can lose 1.5 to 2 litres of water an hour through sweat whether you're hiking or playing a round of golf. 'If you don't replace these fluids, your blood thickens, and your heart has to work harder to maintain your blood pressure and oxygen levels,' warns Prof Lobo. As we age, dehydration can make daily life exhausting. 'An 80-year-old who weighs 40kg (88 lb) and loses bodyweight through fluids is more likely to feel the effects,' says Prof Lobo. ' Our research shows that older adults, admitted to hospital with dehydration, stay in for longer and have a 6 per cent higher mortality rate.' 6. You feel dizzy and faint 'Once you've lost four per cent of your bodyweight in fluid, sweating becomes difficult and your temperature rises, putting you at risk of overheating,' says Prof Lobo. 'Blood pressure drops, and you can become dizzy or faint.' This is 'moderate dehydration' and you should seek medical advice. Oral electrolyte solutions can help but sometimes an IV drip is needed. Without treatment, dehydration can progress to 'severe' (a 7 per cent loss of bodyweight) within 24 hours. It's now a medical emergency. 'The body reduces blood flow to non-vital organs, like your kidneys,' says Prof Lobo. 'Cellular waste builds up, organ damage can occur and, without intervention, you may eventually suffer seizures or collapse.' Multi-organ failure, coma and even death can follow. Hot weather can accelerate the process, so always carry water and seek shade if you feel tired or light-headed. FAQs How much water should I drink a day? 'Your body needs around two litres of fluid a day,' says Johanna Hignett, consultant nutritionist. 'Some of that comes from food, such as fruit and vegetables, so aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water (about six to eight 250 ml glasses). If you're very active or it's hot, your fluid needs rise.' Tea and coffee do count. 'The diuretic effect of the caffeine is offset by the fluid content – research shows up to four cups of coffee (400mg caffeine) a day is ok,' says Hignett. 'Milk counts too – it's over 80 per cent water – as does fruit juice, but plain water is best because it's absorbed directly and contains no calories or sugar.' Is it better to drink cold or room temperature water? 'It doesn't matter what temperature your drinking water is,' says Hignett. 'It warms up in your stomach to body temperature.' Drinking warm or hot water is said to aid digestion and circulation. Chilled water feels refreshing so may quench your thirst and cool you more in summer. Is tap water safe to drink? UK tap water is some of the safest in the world. It must meet standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and the latest report (2023) shows a quality rating of 99.97 per cent. 'The taste of tap water depends on where you live,' says Hignett. 'If you're not keen on it, try flavouring it with fresh herbs or fruit slices, or try natural source waters, like mineral or spring water.' Should I drink water before, after or during exercise? 'If you're exercising for up to an hour, you can be guided by thirst,' says Dr James. 'Ensure you're hydrated before you start, then a drink afterwards may be sufficient.' For longer sessions, you may need to top up with water or a sports drink while you exercise. 'You can calculate your fluid losses by weighing yourself before and after your session,' says Dr James. 'If you've lost half a kilo and drunk half a litre during your workout, you've lost about a litre of sweat, so aim to replace that fluid over the day, on top of what you'd normally drink.' Is it possible to drink too much water? 'It's rare, but it can happen,' says Hignett. 'If you drink large amounts in a short time, your cells become too dilute (hyponatremia) meaning essential minerals, such as sodium and potassium, can't perform their functions. Your kidneys struggle, your cells swell and you can get confusion, cramps, vomiting, seizures and, in extreme cases, coma or death. This is why it's important to drink little and often.' Our kidneys can process about a litre of water an hour, so avoid exceeding that. When's the best time to drink water? 'Drinking little and often keeps your fluid levels steady, rather than the balance going one way, then the other,' says Hignett. 'Waiting until you're thirsty, then drinking lots of water, makes your body think it's well hydrated, so it excretes more. This happens when you have a cup of tea before bed, then wake up in the night needing the bathroom.' Don't avoid drinking for fear of needing the loo – concentrated urine aggravates the bladder, exacerbating the problem. 'Just drink regularly so your body gets used to it,' says Hignett. Research shows that drinking 500ml water before a meal can aid weight loss by preventing overeating. It's also thought to help digestion. Can food count towards your fluid intake? 'Up to a third of the water we consume comes from food,' says Prof Lobo. Fruit and vegetables are good sources of water, as are soups, stews and porridge cooked with milk or water. Cucumbers, tomatoes and broccoli are over 90% water. 'Look for squishy fruits, such as melon and strawberries,' says Hignett. 'Anything that doesn't freeze well will have a high-water content.' Does alcohol cause dehydration? Although alcohol contains water, it's a diuretic, making you need the loo more and so you'll lose extra fluid. 'If you want an alcoholic drink, a spritz is a sensible choice,' says Hignett. 'Adding sparkling water can help hydrate you, and it means you'll drink a bit less alcohol, fewer calories and less sugar. Beer with less than four per cent alcohol can hydrate you, but I don't recommend it! Try to alternate each alcoholic drink with water.' Can medication cause dehydration? 'Some antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like Prozac) and weight-loss drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Ozempic) can suppress thirst, potentially increasing risk of dehydration,' says Professor Kavouras.
