The weird reason why we are taller in the morning

In the morning the discs are more tense and loaded with water

As we age, we lose that capacity and we become shorter.

Women lose more than six centimetres after 80

Men lose about five centimetres on average starting at 80

A curious data

Although some may not know this fact, it is scientifically proven that we are taller in the morning, as soon as we get out of bed, and after having had a restful sleep for a few hours.

But the question is why?

But why? What is this phenomenon due to? Join us as we take a look at this "mystery".

The spine is responsible

It all has to do with the spine, but what is the reason that we stand a few centimetres taller after a good sleep? And above all, could this height be maintained throughout the day?

The importance of intervertebral discs

The spine's bones are interconnected by intervertebral discs that become compressed as we perform different daily activities, which implies a decrease in height.

While we rest...

But at night, while we rest, there is less of a load, and the tension decreases, allowing the intervertebral discs to distance themselves and, consequently, we gain a few centimetres.

The function of these 'pads'

Specifically, the spine is made up of 24 vertebrae along with the sacrum. And between each of these vertebrae, there is a soft pad that has the function of cushioning and facilitating movement.

The discs are made up mostly of water

These discs or pads are located between each vertebra and their nucleus, known as the nucleus pulposus, which is made up of a type of gelatinous material formed from water.

In the morning the discs are more tense and loaded with water

And in the mornings, after having rested lying down and not having yet suffered the weight of gravity, these discs are more tense and manage to fill with water.

The result is that we wake up taller

The result is that as we get up we can measure a few extra centimeters, between 1 and 2 centimeters, which decrease throughout the day, as we carry out daily tasks and part of that water is lost from the intervertebral discs.

As we age, we lose that capacity and we become shorter.

This also explains why, with the passage of age, we become increasingly shorter as the discs become more rigid and have less capacity for regeneration. However, this also has to do with degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.

Women lose more than six centimetres after 80

Thus, according to research from the 'Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging', women lose about five centimetres between the ages of 30 and 70 and more than six from the age of 80.

Men lose about five centimetres on average starting at 80

On the other hand, men lose, on average, about 1.5 centimetres until they are 70 years old and around five centimetres from the age of 80 onwards.

The secrets of the human body

The human body is fascinating and never ceases to surprise us.