Researchers at the University of Oregon have found that blue light from smartphones and other devices can lower energy production in cells, and this effect grows stronger with age. The study appeared in npj Aging.
The team explored the impact of blue light on fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, across their lifespans. These tiny organisms are valuable models because their cellular processes resemble those of humans in key ways. In the experiment, flies were kept in a dark chamber and then moved into rooms lit with blue light at ages two, twenty, forty, and sixty days. The results showed a marked reduction in cellular energy production when flies were exposed to blue light, with the decline becoming more pronounced as they aged. The effect was specific to energy pathways, while other cellular processes tended to worsen regardless of blue light exposure.
Blue light emitted by light emitting diodes, or LEDs, is actively studied for its effects on the human body. Some research links higher artificial light exposure to sleep disturbances and disruptions in circadian rhythms. Though this area is relatively new even in advanced nations, accumulating data is essential to understanding long term consequences and whether susceptibility to blue light changes with age.
Earlier work by the same researchers showed that extended blue light exposure can shorten the lifespan of flies, whether the light hits the eyes or not. In other words, this type of radiation may disrupt energy production pathways in cells that do not specialize in sensing light.
Practical steps to minimize risk include wearing glasses that block blue light and adjusting device settings to emit less blue light. These measures can help safeguard sleep quality and support healthier energy metabolism as people age. This evolving field highlights the importance of understanding how everyday screens influence biological processes over time.