A new study by Stanford University has found that the average human body temperature is decreasing over time. Led by Dr. Julie Parsonnet, an expert in infectious diseases, the research analyzed nearly two centuries of oral temperature data from adult patients between 2008 and 2017. The study concluded that the commonly accepted average temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius (97.3°F) may be too high.
The researchers found that normal body temperature varies between 36.2°C and 36.8°C (97.3°F to 98.2°F). According to Dr. Parsonnet, what’s considered normal depends on each person and the situation, making 36.6 degrees an overgeneralization.
The study also discovered a steady decrease in average body temperature since the 19th century, attributed to improvements in living conditions and general health. Each decade has seen a decline of at least 0.05 degrees Celsius.
This finding has implications for diagnosing conditions like fever, which may vary depending on individual normal temperatures. Body temperature fluctuates throughout the day due to various factors such as age, weight, sex, and time of day.
Understanding individualized body temperature measurement could identify deviations before other symptoms appear. As Dr. Parsonnet stated, “People are cooling down.” The study’s findings suggest that body temperature naturally varies from person to person and context, challenging the long-held standard established in the 19th century.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/science/science-around-the-world/article-835102