Anna Hartz
Are Humans Cooling Down? What Studies Show About Body Temperature
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Most people were taught that a normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius.
This idea goes back to the 19th century when German physician Carl Wunderlich set that standard.
Later, it was revised to 36.6 degrees. However, recent research suggests that the average body temperature may actually be lower today.
A 2017 study in the UK supported the traditional 37-degree standard. But other research tells a different story, according to WP.
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A study in Palo Alto, California, found an average of 36.4 degrees. Similar trends have been observed in Bolivia among the Tsimane people, whose body temperatures have been dropping by 0.05 degrees per year. Their average now stands at 36.5 degrees.
Professor Michael Gurven from the University of California, Santa Barbara, led a team that explored these changes.
They believe improvements in health and technology play a major role. Modern medicine, vaccines, and better hygiene have reduced infections.
As a result, the body doesn’t need to generate as much heat to fight illness.
Climate control also has an impact. In developed countries, widespread use of heating and air conditioning keeps people at a more stable temperature.
Even in remote communities, modern clothing and blankets help people stay warm, reducing the body’s need to produce extra heat.
Scientists agree there isn’t just one reason for this shift. It’s a combination of factors that reflect improvements in living conditions over time.
People today have access to cleaner water, better nutrition, and advanced medical care. All of this contributes to a lower average body temperature compared to past centuries.
While this discovery may not seem significant, it raises new questions about human physiology. It also suggests that “normal” might not be the same for everyone.
Understanding these changes could help doctors refine how they assess fevers and overall health.
The idea of a fixed body temperature standard may soon become outdated.
