Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

question everything

(52,738 posts)
59. Research Shows Permanent Standard Time Is Healthier Than Daylight Saving Time
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 10:45 AM
Yesterday

For a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
researchers used computer models that factored in the body's internal clock to compare
three scenarios: permanent standard time, which prioritizes more morning light,
permanent daylight saving time, which shifts light later into the evening, and the current
system of switching back and forth twice a year. 2

Their goal was to see how each time policy affects health outcomes like obesity and stroke.

• Findings showed clear benefits for standard time — The analysis revealed that
permanent standard time produced the largest reduction in both obesity and stroke
compared to the other policies. Specifically, the model estimated that obesity
prevalence would drop by about 0.78%, which equals millions fewer Americans
struggling with excess weight. Stroke rates also declined by about 0.09%,
preventing hundreds of thousands of new cases each year.

• Daylight saving time offered smaller benefits — Permanent daylight saving time
also lowered risks but to a lesser extent. The decreases were about 0.51% for
obesity and 0.07% for stroke. While still meaningful, these improvements fell short
of the stronger impact predicted under standard time.

https://media.mercola.com/ImageServer/Public/2025/November/PDF/permanent-standard-time-health-benefits-pdf.pdf

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

How I wish changing two or three clocks twice per year was my biggest worry Bengus81 Friday #1
I hate the time change. hamsterjill Friday #2
Not me Polybius Friday #15
Is ten o'clock late enough for you? hamsterjill Friday #17
Here in NYC, it gets dark around 8:45 at peak Polybius Friday #20
South Texas hamsterjill Friday #23
That's almost like Detroit BumRushDaShow Friday #30
The sun sets around 8:45 pm in San Antonio. Followed by civil twilight. It's never been light at 10 pm! LeftInTX Friday #39
The dramatic differences happen along the far western parts of each timezone line BumRushDaShow Yesterday #47
Notice that Central Time goes all the way from Panama City, Fl to El Paso, TX! LeftInTX Yesterday #48
Your north is the reason. Interesting too is NYC has had DLS since Bengus81 Yesterday #55
I love it, too! electric_blue68 Yesterday #41
Move here to Spain. sdfernando Yesterday #44
I expect municipalities in the far north also have more lighting BumRushDaShow 7 hrs ago #65
Healthier question everything Yesterday #56
When I was working, The Madcap Friday #3
God I hope they do this FoxNewsSucks Friday #4
Why can't 'the time' just be the time. ToxMarz Friday #5
Been there. Done that. Try catching a plane on "solar time". The US had 300 time zones at one time. LeftInTX Friday #18
Well I guess there are many considerations when it comes to the time ToxMarz Friday #22
THANK YOU Skittles Yesterday #43
I get confused which is which but whatever one is coming up when we fall back is the one I prefer year round Cheezoholic Friday #6
Cotton is right. NGeorgian Friday #7
He can't be. It is contrary to his nature to be correct about anything. TomSlick Friday #13
dumb. we tried it, it sucked, people BEGGED to go back to the old, intelligent, twice a year shift. Blues Heron Friday #8
I prefer Standard time... all the time. chouchou Friday #9
In a state like Texas where it is so damn hot - I think standard time is better. walkingman Friday #27
Me too don't like how late sunset is in the summer Tree Lady Friday #34
Came here to post this. Qutzupalotl 21 hrs ago #60
They try to do this from time to time. PSPS Friday #10
just shift the damned workday to 8-4 from 9-5, if you are gonna make it permanent, choose normal time not b@st@rd time gfwzig Friday #11
I love DST. Raftergirl Friday #12
Why would Cotton stop it now when he didn't in 2022? SamuelAdams Friday #14
He got them mixed up. He wants what Florida and the golf courses want, which is DST year time. LeftInTX Friday #19
The golf and barbeque cartels A Badger Yesterday #46
I'd prefer the opposite. Skip daylight savings. mzmolly Friday #16
I personally don't care about kids going to school in the dark Polybius Friday #21
But STILL having "morning darkness" at near 8 am (my situation back in the mid-70s going to school) BumRushDaShow Friday #25
No kidding. FoxNewsSucks Friday #37
One of the main reasons PCB66 1 hr ago #67
NOOOOooooooo!!!!!! eom Exp Friday #24
While I like it light longer; science says Standard Time is best for US Callie1979 Friday #26
Why? Not an argument but just asking. efhmc Friday #31
Research Shows Permanent Standard Time Is Healthier Than Daylight Saving Time question everything Yesterday #59
Thank you for posting that Callie1979 16 hrs ago #62
I'm not gonna say Americans of prior years had better judgement than current ones, because each are abysmal RockRaven Friday #28
The clock in my car amerikat Friday #29
No matter what's decided, some will be happy - some will not. Talitha Friday #32
Trivial bullshit LilElf70 Friday #33
Well for once, something to be happy about. Tumbulu Friday #35
States can opt out of DST, but they cannot change standard time. And they can't opt for DST year around. LeftInTX Friday #40
Whatever the reasons for not changing, they don't cause an unnecessary disruption Tumbulu 18 hrs ago #61
my unpopular opinion is that i don't mind (even like) the time changes orleans Friday #36
I like "falling back", FoxNewsSucks Friday #38
I don't mind the time changes either. Dulcinea 15 hrs ago #63
If Tom Cotton doesn't like it BWdem4life Yesterday #42
I thought the Senate already voted on that a few years ago Rhiannon12866 Yesterday #45
The House never did their part back then. BumRushDaShow Yesterday #50
The fact that stuck in my mind was that the Senate vote was unanimous. Now they're arguing?? Rhiannon12866 Yesterday #52
Maybe it's a wedge issue or pandering issue LeftInTX Yesterday #53
Yes, it was just on a voice vote. Never a debate. It went to the house but never voted. question everything Yesterday #58
I'd prefer STANDARD TIME to be permanent... but whatever. QueerDuck Yesterday #49
Then kids would be going to school in the dark. RandySF Yesterday #51
Yes, that has led to children being killed by automobiles. dedl67 Yesterday #54
there is a reason it's called "standard time" Nigrum Cattus Yesterday #57
Split the difference...? GJGCA 14 hrs ago #64
Absolutely no Rebl2 2 hrs ago #66
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»House to vote on measure ...»Reply #59