Study Reveals Melatonin’s Positive Impact on Elderly Emotions
Ural scientists have found out that elderly people who eat food with sufficient melatonin levels have higher life satisfaction and a positive emotional background. In addition, according to the researchers, melatonin reduces the risk of cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, thus improving the quality of life. About other beneficial properties of melatonin and research methods, the scientists told Nutrients. The study was conducted as part of the Priority 2030 program.
“Our study included respondents between the ages of 50 and 90. Using the in-depth interview method, we found a correlation between high life satisfaction and regular consumption of melatonin-containing foods, such as sour cherries, pistachios, almonds, fatty fish and milk. It turned out that people who consume more melatonin-containing foods have a stable positive emotional background, less pronounced signs of depression, and higher cognitive functions. Thus, we were able to confirm the hypothesis of the positive effect of dietary melatonin on the psycho-emotional state of people – this is especially important for the elderly”, explains Olga Dorogina, Senior Researcher at the Ural Federal University’s Academic and Research Laboratory of Neurotechnologies.
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland of the human brain during the dark hours of the day. Melatonin production depends on the body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. In darkness, melatonin levels increase, which promotes relaxation and preparation for sleep. Conversely, when light comes on, melatonin levels decrease, which helps the body wake up and prepare for activity. This is why melatonin is sometimes called the sleep hormone.
“Melatonin is very important for humans, especially for the elderly. Melatonin has been shown to have antioxidant properties and to protect brain neurons. This helps to slow the deterioration of memory and other cognitive functions with age”, explains Olga Dorogina.
According to scientists, the lack of melatonin in the body is directly related to modern lifestyles. Artificial lighting at night, working night shifts, and regularly changing time zones, such as when flying, negatively affect the production of the “sleep hormone”. Specialists note that this has led to an increased risk of social jetlag.
“Social jetlag is a discrepancy between social and biological time. In this case, there is a chronic dysfunction of the circadian system, which can be accompanied by deterioration of psycho-emotional state, and cognitive functions and increased risk of obesity. This, in turn, can lead to a decrease in quality of life”, says Olga Dorogina.
The study included 557 participants (79 percent were women) with an average age of 68.9 years. Using an in-depth interview method, psychologists collected their personal data and assessed their subjective level of life satisfaction, level of depression, and cognitive function.
“Melatonin and products containing it are a promising area of research. In the future, we will continue to study the health-improving and protective properties of this substance, since its undoubted advantage is its low cost, ease of use, and lack of any special restrictions on its use”, concludes Olga Dorogina.