How many of us use the blue light filter on our mobile phones? If you don’t know about that feature, let us give you a quick crash course on it. Blue light filters are meant to filter out the blue light from your device screens, which has been said to disrupt your body’s circadian rhythm and affect your ability to sleep. So when you turn it on, you will most likely sleep better!
But apparently, as reported by China Press, research conducted by scientists has shown that blue LED lights may even accelerate the aging process and damage your brain cells! Holy moly!
Source: IrisTech
In tests conducted by Oregon State University on fruit flies, it is said that fruit flies that had been exposed to blue LED lights recorded decay in their brain cells. Lead author of the research paper, Professor Jaga Giebultowicz, has also said that artificial light has cut the lifespans of these fruit flies by a considerable amount!
In the experiment, fruit flies were exposed to two daily 12-hour cycles of blue light and total darkness lived 15% shorter lives than flies that lived in complete darkness or flies that lived in natural light.
Source: AsiaOne
The flies exposed to blue light also reportedly suffered from damage to their brain’s neurons as well as their retinal cells, which affected their ability to climb up walls. It is also worth noting that some flies in this experiment did not have eyes, due to a congenital mutation. However, they still suffered from the same impaired brain and motor capacity as flies with eyes!
Source: IrisTech
While this may not be conclusive proof that the blue LED lights can shorten your life by considerable years, you should always lean on the side of caution and make a habit of using blue-light filters on your devices! At least you’ll have peace of mind, and a good night’s sleep.
Also read: Health Ministry: Body Shaming is a Crime, RM50k Fine & 1 Year in Jail Await Offenders
