Is Your Body Temperature Really 98.6°F? Think Again

A new study from Stanford University reveals that the average human body temperature has been on a downward trend. Since the 19th century, the temperature has decreased by 0.05 degrees Celsius per decade, challenging the well-known standard of 36.6 degrees Celsius.

In the study, over 618,000 oral temperature measurements were analyzed, collected over nearly a decade. The analysis found that the normal temperature range is between 36.2 and 36.8 degrees, not the commonly believed 36.6. "Modern humans are physiologically different from those 200 years ago," explains Dr. Julie Personet, the study's lead researcher. "Average temperature is influenced by factors like age, gender, time of day, and even weight."

The decline in body temperature is attributed to improvements in quality of life and modern medicine. Fewer chronic infections, more preventive care, and dietary changes all impact the body's metabolic processes. Additionally, as people age, their body temperature tends to drop due to changes in muscle mass.

So how do we know if we have a fever? Dr. Personet emphasizes that fever diagnosis metrics should be personalized. A temperature that's normal for one person might indicate an illness for another. "The key is personal monitoring and using adjusted averages," she adds.

In an era where our health evolves over time, medical standards should follow suit. Is 36.6 degrees still relevant? Perhaps it's time to reconsider. Rather than clinging to old standards, we must recognize that our bodies evolve alongside technological advancements.