Adults who manage only three to five hours of sleep daily have a heightened chance of succumbing to type 2 diabetes. This correlation has been highlighted in a recent study by Uppsala University, featured in the JAMA Network Open journal. The study also suggests that the adverse effects of chronic sleep shortage cannot be entirely mitigated by adhering to a nutritious diet.
Christian Benedict, an Associate Professor specialising in sleep research at Uppsala University’s Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences and the study’s lead researcher, often advises prioritising sleep. He acknowledges the challenges of adequate sleep, especially for someone responsible for parenting four teenagers.
The study delved into the connection between sleep deprivation and type 2 diabetes. This condition disrupts the body’s ability to efficiently utilise sugar (glucose), affecting insulin absorption and elevated blood sugar levels. A 2020 report indicated that over 462 million individuals worldwide are battling this condition. Without intervention, type 2 diabetes can inflict significant harm, especially on the nerves and blood vessels, making it a mounting concern for global public health.
Diana Noga, a fellow sleep researcher at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, reflected on previous findings. These studies have illustrated how inadequate daily rest escalates the risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas maintaining a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could lower this risk. However, whether healthy eating alone could offset the risk for those short on sleep remained unanswered.
To address this, researchers turned to the UK Biobank—one of the world’s most extensive population databases, which includes genetic mapping and health and lifestyle data from nearly half a million UK participants—over a decade of follow-up revealed that sleeping between three and five hours nightly is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, while a nutritious diet has been linked to a reduced risk of the disease, individuals who slept fewer than six hours nightly but followed a healthy diet were still found to be at an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes.
Benedict pointed out that their findings raise doubts about whether a wholesome diet can offset the diabetes risk associated with insufficient sleep. He stressed that their results should not be a source of alarm but rather a reminder of sleep’s significant role in maintaining health. He also mentioned that the impact of sleep deprivation might vary among individuals, influenced by factors such as genetic predisposition and each person’s inherent sleep requirements.
More information: Diana Aline Nôga et al, Habitual Short Sleep Duration, Diet, and Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Adults, JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.1147
Journal information: JAMA Network Open Provided by Uppsala University
