We all must have come across the phase: this is why women live longer than men. These are all over the social media, where men are performing more often than not, some experiments, without gears, just for fun, "in the name of science". The caption reads: this is why women live longer. However, is there really a science to it, other than the fact that women choose to do things more safely?

In the United States, women have a life expectancy of about 80, whereas men have 75. Women outlive men and this holds true regardless of the country women live, the money they make, and other factors. In fact, it is true for most other mammals too.

Dr Dena Dubal, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco told the New York Times, "It is a very robust phenomenon all over the world, totally conserved in sickness, during famines, during epidemics, even during the times of starvation."

But what are the reasons? These reasons are often more complicated and less established. It is important to note that only because women are outliving men does not mean they are living a better life. In fact, women tend to have shorter health spans, which means the number of healthy years in a person's life is less in women than men, confirmed Bérénice Benayoun, an associate professor at the U.S.C. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

As per a 2021 study titled, Sex differences in frailty: Comparisons between humans and preclinical models, found that women are more physically grail than men in old age. They are also more vulnerable, especially after menopause and are at more risk of developing cardiovascular issues and Alzheimer's disease because of age.

The key is in figuring out what makes one sex more resilient or vulnerable.

Genetics

For things which do not find easy explanations, scientists look for their answers in genes. Many research, including a 2020 study titled, The sex with the reduced sex chromosome dies earlier: a comparison across the tree of life, suggests that the XX set of female sex chromosomes may impact longevity. However, there has not been any clarity on how it affects longevity.

Another 2018 study titled, Female XX sex chromosomes increase survival and extend lifespan in aging mice, which was conducted by Dr Dubal's lab, looked at genetically manipulated mice with different combinations of sex chromosomes and reproductive organs. It was found that those with two X chromosomes and ovaries lived longest, followed by mice with two X chromosomes and testes. Mice with XY chromosomes had shorter life spans.

"There was something about the second X chromosome that was protecting the mice from dying earlier in life, even if they had testes. What if there was something on that second X chromosome that was in some ways a sprinkle of the fountain of youth," says Dr Dubal. While scientists have not yet looked at this factor in humans, Dr Dubal suggests that humans have the same hormones and sex chromosomes, and similar reproductive system that could corroborate the similar findings in people.

Hormones

Plenty research has shown that estrogen is responsible for longevity also effect on the immune system. The data also shows that before menopause, the female immune system tends to do better. In fact Dr Benayoun said that males tend to do much worse in response to infection.

Another 2017 study titled, Ages at Menarche and Menopause and Reproductive Lifespan As Predictors of Exceptional Longevity in Women: The Women's Health Initiative, found that women who experienced menopause later in life over the age 50 lived longer than those who experienced it earlier.

Lifestyle and Behavior

There are also disparity in behavioral patterns between men and women. This includes smoking, drinking heavily, which can contribute significantly to mortality. Women also have more "health promoting behavior", believe experts. Women are also more likely to socialize than men and thus it protects them from detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness. In fact, a 2023 analysis published in Jama Network, titled, Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US, 2010-2021, found that women are less likely to die by drug overdose or suicide.

Sleep is one of the most important factors for overall health and well-being, influencing both physical and mental health. Yet, how much sleep a person actually needs remains a common topic of debate.

Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, addressed several misconceptions and shared evidence-based insights about sleep that everyone should know.

In a detailed post on social media platform X, Dr Sudhir said that most adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night.

While some may function well with slightly less or more sleep, he noted that "regularly sleeping less than six hours or more than 9–10 hours is associated with adverse health outcomes."

Sleep Consistency Matters Too

While sleep duration is important, sleep consistency is equally important.

"Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time every day helps regulate your circadian rhythm," he said.

Irregular sleep schedules, on the other hand, are associated with poorer metabolic health, mood disturbances, and daytime sleepiness.

Monophasic vs Biphasic Sleep

Dr Sudhir said that most modern adults follow a monophasic pattern, with one main sleep period at night.

However, "a biphasic pattern (night sleep plus a short afternoon nap) can also be healthy if total sleep duration is adequate and the nap does not interfere with nighttime sleep."

Does Everyone Need an Afternoon Nap?

Not necessarily, said Dr Sudhir, popularly known as Hyderabaddoc on X, adding that many healthy adults do perfectly well without naps.

However, naps may be particularly useful for:

• Shift workers

• People with sleep debt

• Older adults with increased daytime sleepiness

• Those performing safety-critical tasks requiring sustained alertness

Further, he said that a 10–30-minute nap, also known as a power nap, is usually best, and may help:

• Improve alertness

• Improve concentration

• Reduce fatigue

• Enhance performance

However, naps lasting more than an hour may cause "sleep inertia" (grogginess) and disrupt nighttime sleep in some individuals.

Night Shift Work And Health Impacts

"Night shift work is not biologically normal," Dr Sudhir said.

Humans are programmed to be awake during the day and asleep at night. Long-term night shift work has been associated with increased risks of:

• Obesity

• Type 2 diabetes

• Cardiovascular disease

• Mood disorders

• Workplace accidents

Sleep During Weekends

Dr Sudhir also addressed the common belief that people can make up for lost sleep during weekends.

While "partial recovery is possible," he said weekend catch-up sleep does not fully reverse the effects of chronic sleep deprivation.

Large shifts in sleep timing during weekends, often referred to as "social jet lag," can disrupt circadian rhythms.

He advised keeping wake-up and bedtime within about one to two hours of the weekday schedule.

He also warned against relying on multiple alarms every morning, which according to him "suggests insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, and circadian misalignment."

How Inadequate Sleep Can Affect You

Dr Sudhir said regularly sleeping more than 9–10 hours may be associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, frailty, and mortality.

At the same time, the neurologist noted that "even one night of inadequate sleep can impair performance".

Short-term sleep deprivation can lead to:

• Reduced attention

• Slower reaction time

• Poor decision-making

• Mood changes

• Increased accident risk

Chronic insufficient sleep is associated with:

• Hypertension

• Type 2 diabetes

• Obesity

• Cardiovascular disease

• Depression and anxiety

• Cognitive decline

• Reduced quality of life

"Sleep is a fundamental biological requirement, just like nutrition and exercise," Dr Sudhir said.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), including semaglutide widely used to improve diabetes control and promote weight loss, may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

The study found that the effect was particularly notable among people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as those with both IBD and type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer due to chronic inflammation and metabolic changes that may promote tumor development.

"GLP-1 RA use was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of colorectal cancer in all patients with IBD, as well as the subpopulation with both IBD and type 2 diabetes," said lead author Sarina Ailawadi of Case Western Reserve University, US.

"Given the elevated colorectal cancer risk in IBD, these findings suggest a potential protective effect of GLP-1 RA use in this high-risk population. Prospective studies will be important to further analyze and confirm this potential benefit," she added.

The findings will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Breakthrough meeting, scheduled for June 25–27 in Singapore.

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How Was The Study Conducted?

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 69,221 people in the US, including GLP-1 RA users and non-users.

Researchers also identified 209,649 people with both IBD and type 2 diabetes, including 38,567 who had taken a GLP-1 RA.

After matching users and non-users for various characteristics, data from 37,740 patients were analyzed. The GLP-1 RA group included people taking semaglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide, exenatide, liraglutide, or lixisenatide.

The researchers compared the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer between GLP-1 RA users and non-users.

Among people with IBD, the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.2% in GLP-1 RA users compared with 0.42% in non-users. The odds ratio was 0.49, indicating a 51% lower likelihood of developing colorectal cancer among GLP-1 RA users.

Among patients with both IBD and type 2 diabetes, the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.31% in GLP-1 RA users and 0.57% in non-users. The odds ratio was 0.54, suggesting a 46% lower likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

The researchers noted that prospective studies are needed to confirm the potential protective effect of GLP-1 RAs on colorectal cancer risk.

Do IBD and Type 2 Diabetes Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk?

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Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, likely because of chronic inflammation in the intestines. People with IBD are estimated to be six times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those without the condition.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, also increases colorectal cancer risk and is becoming more common among people with IBD. Scientists believe that individuals with both conditions may face an especially high risk because of the combined effects of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of drugs that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, many are now widely used for weight management.

These medications mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone by stimulating insulin release, slowing digestion, and increasing feelings of fullness.

Beyond blood sugar control and weight loss, GLP-1 RAs have been linked to several health benefits, including lower blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have also suggested that they may lower the risk of colorectal cancer and other obesity-related cancers.

However, their specific impact on colorectal cancer risk among people with IBD has remained unclear until now.

A new study involving more than 13,000 parents suggests that parents who have sons may experience faster cognitive decline in later life compared to parents who only have daughters. While the findings may sound surprising, researchers stress that the results are linked to long-term caregiving and social support—not biology.

The research, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, explored how family composition might affect cognitive health as people grow older.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers from Columbia University and Charles University analyzed data from 13,222 adults aged 50 and above who participated in the US Health and Retirement Study.

The team discovered several important patterns:

Parents with at least one son showed a faster rate of cognitive decline than parents who had only daughters.

The association was observed in both mothers and fathers, suggesting the effect is driven by social and caregiving factors rather than biological differences.

Parents with multiple sons experienced an even steeper decline in cognitive function over time compared to parents whose children were all daughters.

The researchers concluded that having sons was associated with a faster decline in memory and thinking abilities during older adulthood.

Why Might Daughters Make A Difference?

The researchers believe the explanation lies in family dynamics rather than genetics.

Previous studies have consistently shown that daughters are more likely to provide emotional support, regular communication, and hands-on caregiving as their parents age. This ongoing engagement may help keep parents mentally active and socially connected—two factors that are strongly associated with healthier brain aging.

Experts often refer to this as the "daughter effect." Strong emotional bonds and frequent social interactions are known to protect cognitive function and may reduce the risk of age-related mental decline.

How Was Cognitive Health Measured?

Participants' cognitive abilities were evaluated every two years using several standard mental performance tests, including:

• Immediate and delayed word recall tests
• Serial subtraction exercises
• Backward counting tasks

These assessments allowed researchers to track changes in memory, attention, and problem-solving skills over several years.

Even after adjusting for factors such as age, education, health status, and socioeconomic background, the relationship between having sons and faster cognitive decline remained significant.

Previous Research Supports Similar Findings:

The study also builds on earlier research that linked having more sons with poorer long-term maternal health outcomes, including an increased risk of dementia.

By examining both mothers and fathers, the new research suggests the relationship extends beyond pregnancy-related biological factors and is more likely connected to differences in caregiving and emotional support provided by adult children.

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What Does This Mean For Families?

The findings should not be interpreted as a reason to worry about having sons. Instead, they highlight the importance of maintaining strong family relationships, staying socially active, and ensuring older adults receive emotional and practical support regardless of their children's gender.

Researchers say that healthy aging depends on many interconnected factors, and supportive relationships can play an important role in preserving cognitive function over time.

The study suggests that parents with sons may experience faster cognitive decline than parents with only daughters, with the effect becoming stronger as the number of sons increases. However, experts caution that family composition is just one small piece of the puzzle. Healthy lifestyle habits, social connections, education, and quality caregiving remain the most important factors for maintaining brain health throughout aging.