It is said that we are just a little bit taller in the morning than we are later in the day – but why?

This phenomenon may be due to gravity compressing cartilage in our spine and in other parts of our bodies, such as our knees when we stand up or sit down throughout the day. While we are lying down in a resting position, the spine is said to “spread out” or decompress, so when we wake in the morning we are taller after lying in bed all night.

In fact, astronauts coming back from outer space are a few inches taller than their normal height on earth because of the lack of gravitational forces on their spines away from the earth’s atmosphere. When they are on earth again, gravity will gradually return them to their normal height.

The increase in our morning height is only about 1cm, but that maybe just enough for some to boast a different height to their family and friends.

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