Blue light emitted from smartphones and PC monitors may accelerate aging
The theory has been advocated that the blue light emitted from smartphone displays and PC monitors has a short wavelength and high energy, which adversely affects eyesight. A research team at Oregon State University has announced that such blue light has a worrisome effect of 'promoting aging'.
Frontiers | Chronic blue light leads to accelerated aging in Drosophila by impairing energy metabolism and neurotransmitter levels
Blue light from smartphones and computer screens may accelerate aging
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/blue-light-from-smartphones-and-computer-screens-may-accelerate-aging/
The research team focused on specific metabolites that are essential for cell function. These metabolites include succinic acid , which is necessary for extracting energy in mitochondria , and glutamic acid , which is involved in communication between nerve cells.
In order to investigate the effect of blue light irradiation on fruit fly cells, we compared fruit fly cells that had been exposed to blue light for two weeks and cells that had been kept in a dark place. We found that acid levels increased and glutamate levels decreased.
Professor Jadwiga Giebultowicz of Oregon State University's Department of Comprehensive Biology says, ``High succinic acid levels after blue light irradiation is the same as gasoline is no longer in the car.''
Based on the experimental results, the research team argues that exposure to blue light accelerated aging of fruit fly cells and shortened their lifespan. Since succinic acid and glutamic acid are also important metabolites in human cells, they argue that excessive blue light irradiation accelerates aging in humans as well.
However, the blue light used in the experiment is set considerably stronger than what humans are exposed to on a daily basis. Therefore, it is not known how much blue light from smartphones and PC monitors affects humans, and the research team says further research is needed.
Professor Giebultowicz said, ``LEDs, which are the source of blue light, are used in the displays and lighting of mobile phones, PC monitors, and televisions. The metabolites used in cells are the same in fruit flies and humans, so it is possible that blue light can have an adverse effect on humans.'
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