Staying up late for overtime work, staying up all night to watch dramas or play games, and eating late-night snacks have almost become a standard practice for modern people. The diverse and colorful nightlife gives people various reasons to be "forced" to stay up late and unable to break free.

Frequent late nights have a significant impact on the body, a well-known fact. However, a study suggests that long-term late nights may also lead to cancer. Is this true?

Long-term late nights, you can't afford it

As early as 2007, a paper published in the prestigious medical journal "The Lancet Oncology" revealed that long-term late nights and irregular sleep patterns constitute a risk factor for cancer. This conclusion is not unfounded, but rather based on a solid foundation of large-scale population cohort studies.

Some researchers have observed that nurses who frequently work night shifts have shown a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer. Similarly, female flight attendants on international flights have also shown an increased incidence of breast cancer.

Although these conclusions may be influenced by potential carcinogens such as hospital radiation, an increasing body of research has conclusively shown that long-term late nights can suppress the immune system, leading to a decrease in individual resistance.

Does staying up late always lead to cancer?

Not necessarily.

In the classification system of carcinogens, even if a substance is classified as the highest level of "definite" carcinogen, it only indicates a certain probability of causing cancer.

For example, substances classified as Group 1 "carcinogenic to humans" include alcohol, processed meats (containing nitrites), and smoking. However, in real life, frequent smokers, heavy drinkers, and those who regularly consume processed meats are not uncommon, and some of them do not develop cancer.

Therefore, friends who frequently stay up late, especially professionals such as nurses, doctors, and flight attendants who work at night, need not be overly alarmed. However, it is worth noting that if staying up late is not absolutely necessary, it is better to try to sleep early to maintain good health. After all, it's best to avoid staying up late if possible.

Compared to staying up late, these two sleeping habits are more likely to lead to cancer.

1. Staying up late: insufficient sleep time

In July 2023, a research team from Tongji Hospital, affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, published a new study on sleep habits, duration, and cancer risk in the journal "Cancer". The study conducted an in-depth analysis of over 14,000 individuals, and the results showed an association between insufficient sleep time and an increased risk of cancer. Specifically, compared to participants who maintained 6-8 hours of nighttime sleep, those who slept less than 6 hours at night had a staggering 41% increase in cancer risk.

2. Irregular sleep patterns

Even if the sleep time is 6-8 hours, if the "biological clock" of the circadian rhythm is not followed, the risk of developing cancer also increases. In February 2024, the "Journal of Hepatology" published a study discussing the reasons for "staying up late causing cancer". This study, for the first time, experimentally confirmed that disrupting the circadian rhythm, or experiencing long-term disruptions in the day-night rhythm, is indeed a carcinogenic factor and harms the body.

Feeling dizzy and tired after staying up late? It's likely due to dehydration!

When the body is dehydrated, organs are unable to function properly due to lack of oxygen, leading to waste accumulation and difficulty in timely elimination, which can cause various discomfort. If this condition persists, it can damage various organs in the body, ultimately leading to related diseases of the heart, brain, and endocrine system.

So, why does staying up late lead to dehydration? The reason is that the body automatically consumes about 300-400 milliliters of water per day (excluding the water lost through sweating and urination), and the peak consumption occurs during nighttime sleep.

Therefore, in situations where staying up late is unavoidable, we must pay attention to one thing—replenishing fluids.

Warm plain water is a healthy hydration choice suitable for everyone. It is important to note that water that is too cold may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, while water that is too hot may cause burns to the throat and esophagus.

A mild saltwater solution is another ideal hydration beverage, as it can effectively replenish the electrolytes lost due to dehydration, thus alleviating dehydration symptoms.

When drinking water, it is advisable to sip slowly, with each intake being approximately 100 milliliters, to avoid excessive consumption at once.