Extreme Heat Accelerates Aging and Seriously Impacts Health: Insights from a Long-term Study
Recent research indicates that rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves have a detrimental effect on the human body, speeding up the aging process and increasing the risk of serious health issues.
Scientists from Taiwan, reporting via the HANS Scientific Portal, revealed that sustained temperature fluctuations above normal levels promote biological age acceleration, comparable to the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption.
This finding has surprised many in the scientific community, as earlier assumptions suggested that temporary heatwaves could not significantly influence long-term health.
The study shows that an increase of just 1.3°C in temperature can markedly hasten the human biological clock.
Particularly vulnerable are rural residents and physically active workers, who often have limited access to modern cooling technologies.
An unexpected outcome was the observed decrease in the heat-related acceleration of aging over the 15-year period of the study, likely due to improved access to cooling devices over time.
Researchers remain intrigued by these adaptation mechanisms, which warrant further investigation.
Additionally, the study also highlights that climate anomalies may lead to increased risk of chronic diseases and accelerated aging, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change for public health outcomes.