New research recently identified a new problem, particularly one in fruit flies, that suggests that humans' cellular functions could be affected by the blue light released by these devices.
As specified in a EurekAlert! report, too much screen use has been associated with certain health conditions like obesity and psychological problem
According to Dr. Jadwiga Giebultowicz, a professor at the Department of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University and senior author of the study, excessive blue light exposure to daily devices like laptops, phones, and TVs, may have detrimental effects on a wide range of cells in the body, from fat and skin cells to sensory neurons.
The professor also said they are the first to show that the levels of certain metabolites, chemicals that are important for the cells to function properly, are changed in fruit flies exposed to blight.
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LEDs have become the primary illumination in display screens like desktop computers, TVs, phones, and ambient lighting. Thus, humans in advanced societies are exposed to blue light through LED lighting during most waking hours.
An Effective Anti-Aging Strategy
The study published in the Frontiers in Aging journal suggests that avoiding excessive exposure to blue light "may be a good anti-aging strategy," Giebultowicz explained.
The study authors at Oregon State University have shown that fruit flies exposed to light "turn on" stress-protective genes and that those kept contrary to darkness lived longer.
The study's senior author also said that to understand why high-energy light is responsible for fast-tracking aging in fruit flies, the team compared the metabolite levels in flies exposed to blue light for two weeks to those kept in total darkness.
Exposure to blue light caused substantial differences in the metabolite levels measured by the study investigators in the cells of fly heads.
Metabolite Succinate Levels Augmented
Specifically, the researchers discovered that the levels of metabolite succinate were augmented, although glutamate levels were reduced.
Giebultowicz also explained that succinate is vital for fuel production for each cell's growth and function.
Additionally, high succinate levels following exposure to blue light can be compared to gas being in the pump though not getting into the car.
Another troubling finding was that molecules accountable for communication between neurons, like glutamate, are at a lower level following exposure to blue light.
Effects of Blue Light on Human Health
The changes the study investigators recorded suggest that the cells operate at a suboptimal level, which may lead to their premature death, further explaining their past findings as the one explained in a report from the Oregon State College of Science, that "blue light may accelerate aging."
Essentially, LEDs have become the primary illumination in display screens like desktop computers, TVs, phones, and ambient lighting. Thus, humans in advanced societies are exposed to blue light through LED lighting during most waking hours.
The signaling chemicals in the cells of both humans and flies are the same; thus, there is potential for adverse effects of blue light on humans, Giebultowicz explained.
Future research hopes to investigate the impacts directly on human cells. The study lead said they used a relatively strong blue light on the flies; humans are exposed to less strong light, so that cellular damage may be less dramatic.
The study findings, as specified in a Medical Xpress report, suggest that future research involving human cells is needed to establish the extent to which human cells may exhibit akin changes in metabolites involved in the production of energy in response to excessive exposure to blue light, Giebultowicz concluded.
Related information about the effect of blue light on the body is shown in Doctor Mike's YouTube video below:
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