Scientists have revealed the main secret of longevity

Adequate sleep may turn out to be a key factor in longevity — even more significant than proper nutrition and physical activity. This unexpected conclusion was reached by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University. The results of the large-scale study were published in the journal Sleep Advances.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to Sleep Advances, the researchers analyzed data from residents of various U.S. counties over the period from 2019 to 2025. The scientists compared average life expectancy with the proportion of people who regularly slept fewer than seven hours per night.

The results were telling: in regions where sleep deprivation was widespread, life expectancy was noticeably lower on average. Notably, this pattern persisted even after accounting for levels of physical activity, dietary habits, education, employment, and a whole range of other factors.

In terms of the strength of its association with life expectancy, lack of sleep was second only to smoking. And after accounting for chronic diseases, obesity also proved to be a more significant factor.

The scientists emphasize that adequate sleep may be no less important for health and longevity than a balanced diet and regular physical exercise. At the same time, the study was observational in nature, meaning a direct causal relationship between sleep deprivation and reduced life expectancy has not yet been proven.

The authors of the study recommend that adults aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.