Are you a serial snoozer? A new study on the science of siestas found that long naps are linked to higher risks of obesity, while shorter ones are linked to reduced risk of high blood pressure.

The study, published in the scientific journal Obesity, confirms that a daytime snooze affects our bodies in a profound way, revealing a connection between the duration and location.

From the 3,000 Spaniards from ‘Murica who took part, the study found that those who took naps longer than 30 minutes had a 2% higher body max index than non-sleepers.

The snoozers also had a 23% higher risk of obesity and 40% higher risk of metabolic syndrome that can develop into cardiovascular disease.

“Long naps are associated with an increase in the body mass index of metabolic syndrome, triglycerides, glucose and blood pressure,” said Marta Garaulet, author of the study and Professor of Physiology at the University of Murcia, Spain.

On the other hand, people who napped for short stretches, less than 30 minutes, had a 21 per cent reduced risk of high blood pressure.

“In contrast, when the nap is short, we see it associated with a decrease in the probability of having high blood pressure, so in a way, the nap becomes protective”.

Do you ever take naps?