Regular Napping Boosts Brain Size in Adults.

In 2023, Valentina Paz and team from University College London and Uruguay studied 35,080 adults from the UK Biobank. Using brain scans and self-reported nap habits, they explored links between napping frequency and brain volume, adjusting for age, sex, and lifestyle factors.

Frequent nappers had larger total brain volume (15.8 cm³ more) compared to non-nappers, suggesting naps may protect brain health. No significant link was found with cognitive performance, but bigger brain size could mean slower aging. Benefits were consistent across nap frequency.

Take short naps regularly to potentially support brain health and slow aging.