OLED Light Before Bed May Protect Sleep and Metabolism Better Than LEDs
A new study has found that exposure to OLED light before bedtime may be less disruptive to sleep hygiene than traditional LED lighting. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba discovered that OLEDs, which emit less blue light, could reduce negative effects on energy expenditure and body temperature during sleep. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that switching to OLED lighting in the evening might help maintain healthier fat oxidation and melatonin levels while resting. The study, titled Metabolic responses to polychromatic LED and OLED light at night, compared how LED and OLED exposure before sleep affected participants. Results showed that those exposed to LEDs experienced a noticeable drop in energy expenditure and core body temperature during sleep. Fat oxidation—how the body burns fat while resting—was also significantly lower after LED exposure compared to OLEDs. Unlike LEDs, OLEDs release less blue light, which is known to interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythm. The research team, led by experts in light’s impact on human physiology, observed a positive link between fat oxidation during sleep and melatonin levels following OLED exposure. This implies that OLEDs may support better sleep and metabolic function at night. The project received funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Japan Science and Technology Agency’s Centre for Innovation. Its findings add to growing evidence that artificial light at night can influence weight gain and other physiological changes by altering sleep metabolism. The study highlights a key difference between LED and OLED lighting in how they affect sleep. Participants exposed to OLEDs maintained higher fat oxidation and more stable melatonin levels, suggesting a potential health benefit. These results could inform future recommendations on lighting choices for evening use, particularly for those concerned about metabolic health.
