Global warming is increasingly worrying humanity. Recent studies conducted by scientists have revealed that excessive heat may not only cause discomfort or short-term health effects, but can also accelerate the process of biological aging. This was reported by Nature Climate Change.
According to experts, heat waves can have an even more dangerous effect on the human body than alcohol consumption. For example, during just one strong heat wave in England this summer, nearly 600 premature deaths were recorded.
A large-scale study conducted in Taiwan involved nearly 25,000 people with an average biological age of 46. After 15 years of observation, it was found that just a four-day heat wave over two years increased participants’ biological age by almost nine days. The strongest effects were observed among rural residents, manual laborers, and those with limited access to cooling equipment.
Scientific commentary notes that a heat wave refers not only to high temperatures, but to an extended period of unusually hot weather that exceeds local climate norms. In the short term, such heat puts excessive pressure on the body’s natural cooling mechanisms. Sweating and faster blood circulation help stabilize body temperature, but extreme heat forces the heart and kidneys to work under strain.
Experts emphasize that prolonged high temperatures can lead not only to fatigue, but also to chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and respiratory tract.
International reports also highlight the seriousness of the situation. According to World Weather Attribution experts, in the summer of 2022 approximately 63,000 deaths in Europe were linked to heat. In addition, the International Labour Organization estimates that more than 2.4 billion people worldwide suffer from occupational heat stress, and nearly 19,000 workers die each year because of it.
Thus, scientists once again warn that global warming and heat waves pose a serious threat to human life and health. Authorities urge people to take precautions, drink more water on hot days, rest, and monitor their health.
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