Eight-hour sleep every night not only rejuvenates the body but also helps brain to store and learn a new language, according to a new study. 

A team of international scientists, led by the University of South Australia and published in the Journal of Neuroscience, revealed that the coordination of two electrical events in the sleeping brain significantly improves our ability to remember new words and complex grammatical rules.

In an experiment with 35 native English-speaking adults, researchers tracked the brain activity of participants learning a miniature language called Mini Pinyin that is based on Mandarin but with similar grammatical rules to English.

Mini Pinyin contains 32 verbs and 25 nouns, including 10 human entities, 10 animals and five objects. Overall, the language contains 576 unique sentences.

Half of the participants learned Mini Pinyin in the morning and then returned in the evening to have their memory tested.

The other half learned Mini Pinyin in the evening and then slept in the laboratory overnight while their brain activity was recorded.

Researchers tested their progress in the morning. Those who slept performed significantly better compared to those who remained awake.

“This coupling likely reflects the transfer of learned information from the hippocampus to the cortex, enhancing long-term memory storage,” said lead researcher Dr Zachariah Cross.

Sleep-based improvements were linked to the coupling of slow oscillations and sleep spindles – brainwave patterns that synchronise during NREM sleep.

“Post-sleep neural activity showed unique patterns of theta oscillations associated with cognitive control and memory consolidation, suggesting a strong link between sleep-induced brainwave co-ordination and learning outcomes,” Dr Cross added.

Researcher Dr Scott Coussens said the study underscores the importance of sleep in learning complex linguistic rules.

“By demonstrating how specific neural processes during sleep support memory consolidation, we provide a new perspective on how sleep disruption impacts language learning,” Dr Coussens said. “Sleep is not just restful; it’s an active, transformative state for the brain.”

The findings could also potentially inform treatments for individuals with language-related impairments, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and aphasia, who experience greater sleep disturbances than other adults.

New Delhi: A study on Wednesday proved a suspected link between poor sleep and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). 

MASLD (formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is the most common liver disorder: it affects 30 per cent of adults and between 7 per cent and 14 per cent of children and adolescents. This prevalence is predicted to rise to more than 55 per cent of adults by 2040.

While previous studies have implicated disturbances in the circadian clock and the sleep cycle in the development of MASLD, the new study by researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland showed for the first time that the sleep-wake rhythm in patients with MASLD does indeed differ from that in healthy individuals.

In the paper, published in the journal Frontiers in Network Physiology, the team showed that patients with MASLD woke 55 per cent more often at night, and lay 113 per cent longer awake after having first fallen asleep, compared to healthy volunteers.

Patients with MASLD also slept more often and longer during the day.

“People with MASLD have significant fragmentation of their nightly sleep due to frequent awakenings and increased wakefulness,” said Dr Sofia Schaeffer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Basel.

The team recruited 46 adult women and men diagnosed with either MASLD, or MASH, or MASH with cirrhosis; compared them with eight patients who had non-MASH-related liver cirrhosis. These were also compared with 16 age-matched healthy volunteers.

Each study participant was equipped with an actigraph — to track gross motor activity with a sensor worn on the wrist — to be worn at all times, which tracked light, physical activity, and body temperature.

The results showed that sleep patterns and quality as measured by the actigraph were similarly impaired in patients with MASH, MASH with cirrhosis and non-MASH-related cirrhosis.

Further, 32 per cent of patients with MASLD reported experiencing sleep disturbances caused by psychological stress, compared to only 6 per cent of healthy participants.

The findings showed that “sleep fragmentation plays a role in the pathogenesis of human MASLD,” said Schaeffer.

While it remains unknown whether MASLD causes sleep disorders or vice versa, the underlying mechanism likely involves “genetics, environmental factors, and the activation of immune responses — ultimately driven by obesity and metabolic syndrome.”

Flowers are fragrant and beautiful, but did you know these delicate and colourful blooms are also packed with incredible health benefits? Simply infusing fresh or dried flower petals in hot water can create comforting and fragrant floral teas. Most are rich in antioxidants, and consuming them can help with weight loss, stress management, improved skin health, and controlling inflammation. Let’s explore some wonderful teas you can brew using flowers, along with their health benefits.

Here Are 6 Delicious And Powerful Floral Teas That You Must Try:

1. Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus is loaded with antioxidants like flavonoids, beta carotene, and vitamin C, which inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol. Several studies examining the effect of hibiscus extracts have found that hibiscus can lower systolic blood pressure, notes dietitian Garima Goyal. However, it is important to consult your healthcare provider before consuming hibiscus tea if you are already on anti-hypertensive drugs.

2. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is prepared by infusing dried chamomile flowers in hot water. The result is a fragrant, calming tea with a gentle flavour. Nutritionist and wellness expert Anshul Jaibharat explains that chamomile tea can help promote better sleep. “Unlike caffeinated options, chamomile offers a calming alternative for your nightly cup.” The ritual of sipping chamomile tea can gently put your mind into a restful state.

Also Read:Not Just Sugar: 5 Other Factors That May Be Hindering Diabetes Control

3. Blue Tea

Blue tea, or butterfly pea flower tea, is a caffeine-free herbal concoction made by steeping dried or fresh leaves of the Clitoria ternatea plant. Blue tea is packed with antioxidants, which make the skin look younger and healthier from within. The flavonoids present in blue tea may also stimulate collagen production. Additionally, blue tea contains catechins, which aid in weight loss.

4. Rose Tea

Rose tea can be prepared by mixing dried rose petals with the tea powder of your choice or by boiling fresh rose petals with water. Rose has anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of antioxidants. Rose tea may also improve digestion.

Also Read:Think Before You Follow! 3 Myths About Intermittent Fasting You Should Put To Rest

5. Lavender Tea

Lavender tea is made by brewing the purple buds of the Lavandula angustifolia plant with hot water. Lavender is widely used as an aromatherapy agent to boost mood. Research on lavender extracts shows it can calm nerves, promote better sleep, and improve skin health.

6. Linden Tea

Linden tea is made by boiling linden flowers and letting them steep for 10-15 minutes. The linden tree belongs to the Tilia genus and is found mostly in North America, Europe, and Asia. Certain studies have shown that linden extract can regulate the nervous system and promote relaxation. Drinking linden tea also provides relief from common infections like fever, colds, coughs, bronchitis, and asthma. Linden tea contains flavonoids and essential oils that help with stomach, intestinal issues and acidity.

Include these delightful floral teas in your daily routine and enjoy their incredible health benefits.