In a study published in the journal Science Advances, scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, have found that chronic loneliness can lead to an increase in inflammatory proteins in the body that may cause long-term health problems. The team conducted an experiment in which they isolated a group of 141 adults for eight-hour periods and collected blood samples before and after the isolation. The results showed higher levels of inflammation in isolated individuals compared to those who had social support. Chronic inflammation has been linked to numerous health issues, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. These findings suggest that loneliness could impact physical health by increasing inflammation in the body. The study emphasizes the need for social connections and highlights the importance of addressing loneliness as a potential public health issue.
