Kathrine Frich
For more than a century, 36.6°C (or 97.9°F) has been considered the gold standard for “normal” human body temperature.
For more than a century, 36.6°C (or 97.9°F) has been considered the gold standard for “normal” human body temperature.
The 36.6°C Norm? Not Anymore
But modern research is challenging that long-standing assumption, revealing that the average temperature has gradually declined.
Studies now show that a healthy person’s body temperature is often closer to 36.4°C and in some populations, even lower.
The Science Behind the Shift
The most prominent research comes from a team led by Professor Michael Gurven at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Their findings suggest the decline isn’t random, it reflects how our bodies are adapting to better living conditions.
Cleaner environments, fewer infections, and improved healthcare are all playing a role in cooling us down.
Better Hygiene = Lower Temperature
Historically, body heat helped fight off infections.
Today, access to vaccines, antibiotics, clean water, and modern sanitation means we’re getting sick less often.
As a result, our immune systems don’t need to run as hot and average body temperature has dropped accordingly.
Climate Control Has Changed Us
Another key factor? Temperature-controlled living.
The widespread use of heating and air conditioning means our bodies don’t need to work as hard to stay warm or cool.
Even in regions with seasonal extremes, our climate-managed homes have reshaped how our internal systems function.
What About People Without Technology?
Surprisingly, even people who don’t use modern tech are showing a drop in body temperature.
Among the Tsimane, an Indigenous group in Bolivia, body temperatures have declined by 0.05°C per year, now averaging 36.5°C.
This suggests that changes in nutrition, healthcare access, and social conditions can also influence human physiology.
Is This a Health Concern?
Not at all — researchers emphasize that a lower body temperature doesn’t mean people are becoming unwell.
It’s simply a reflection of changing lifestyles and improved health systems.
We’re not less healthy, we’re just living differently, and our bodies are adjusting accordingly.
The End of a Universal “Normal”?
The idea that everyone shares a fixed “normal” body temperature is being replaced by a more flexible understanding.
Today’s norm may vary slightly based on age, location, lifestyle, and even the time of day.
Temperature is no longer a one-size-fits-all number and that’s not a bad thing.
