Even if you’re a night owl, getting up and exercising in the morning — taking a walk or riding a bike, for instance — could lower your risk of cancer, according to a recent study. Scientists from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that regular exercise in the morning, particularly between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., boosts the body clock, which in turn, helps suppress cancer.
“The timing of physical activity obviously has an effect upon the rhythm of sex hormones and melatonin, as well as on food metabolism,” study coordinator Dr. Manolis Kogevinas said. “That might explain our results.”
At night, your body produces melatonin, a chemical which helps regulate sleep and affects your circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock. Scientists know that working out late or staying up late brings the production of melatonin to a standstill, which could be detrimental to your health, since melatonin is also known to halt the progression of cancer.
According to the study, artificial light and late night snacks also play a role in cancer.
SOURCE: Study Finds December 30, 2020