Danish scientists from the University of Copenhagen found that seasonal lighting affects how the body receives and uses energy. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Cell Metabolism.
During the experiment, experts examined how differences in daylight hours affected the metabolism of laboratory mice by measuring the animals’ weight, percentage of fat, and fat content in their liver.
Mice were chosen for the study because they are not seasonal animals and do not breed at certain times of the year. This is important because seasonal animals gain weight before the mating season for the sake of energy reserves.
“We found that even in non-seasonal animals, differences in daylight hours between summer and winter cause differences in energy metabolism,” said study author Levin Small.
Scientists found that reducing daylight hours improved the health of experimental rodents. They began eating more regularly, which boosted their metabolism and helped the mice gain less weight and fat.
The discovery will lead to a better understanding of how light and seasons affect diet and why some people gain weight at certain times of the year.
Previous scientists registered Obesity rates are increasing in countries where people are starving.