Article: Turn Off the Blue Light!
Source: University of Tsukaba (Japan), via Technology Networks and NEI
Published: June 30, 2021
Exposure to blue light has various effects on human health, such as in the regulation of circadian rhythm. Researchers in Japan wanted to explore the effect of blue light on physiological processes such as metabolism during sleep. In particular, they compared polychromatic white LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and polychromatic white OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes). LEDs have been widely adopted for their energy-saving advantages. However, polychromatic white LEDs also emit more blue light compared to polychromatic white OLEDs, sparking curiosity as to their potential effects on health. The study involved ten male participants exposed to LED, OLED (1000 lux), or dim (< 10 lux) light for 4 hours before sleep in a metabolic chamber. The researchers then measured energy expenditure, core body temperature,
fat oxidation, and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (melatonin) levels during sleep. The study's senior author reports, "Although no effect on sleep architecture was observed, energy
expenditure and core body temperature during sleep were significantly
decreased after OLED exposure. Furthermore, fat oxidation during sleep
was significantly lower after exposure to LED compared with OLED."
The results also showed a weak but significant correlation between 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and fat oxidation under OLED lighting. The sample size of ten male participants is extremely small and homogeneous. Nonetheless, given that some differences in metabolic responses were observed among different artificial lighting conditions, connections between artificial lighting and metabolism could be further explored in
larger studies.
My rating of this study:
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Ishihara A, Park I, Suzuki Y, et al. "Metabolic responses to polychromatic LED and OLED light at night."
Scientific Reports. 11:12402. 11 June 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91828-6
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