Your Sleep Habits Might Be Increasing Your Diabetes Risk by 34%

By: Sam Watanuki | Last updated: Jul 19, 2024

Good sleep is crucial for overall health, but did you know it could also impact your risk of diabetes?

Recent research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston reveals that irregular sleep patterns can significantly raise your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by 34%. This eye-opening study highlights the importance of consistent sleep schedules.

The Groundbreaking Study

A comprehensive study tracked over 84,000 UK residents, using accelerometers to monitor their sleep for seven nights. These participants, averaging 62 years old, were initially free of diabetes.

Advertisement
Scientists in a laboratory. A woman is looking through a microscope.

Rhoda Baer/Wikimedia Commons

Researchers followed their health over 7.5 years, finding that those with varying sleep durations faced a heightened diabetes risk.

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar. It’s among the top 10 leading causes of death and disability globally.

Advertisement
A stethoscope next to a black notebook that reads “Type 2 Diabetes” against a red background

Source: Freepik

With the number of people affected expected to more than double to 1.3 billion by 2050, understanding risk factors is more critical than ever.

Key Findings on Sleep Irregularity

The study found that people whose sleep duration varied by more than an hour from night to night had a 34% greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Advertisement
A woman sleeping on her side in bed. A bedside table beside her has a lamp, phone, notebook bed, and plant.

Source: Cottonbro Studio/Pexels

This highlights the detrimental impact of inconsistent sleep on your health.

The Role of Consistent Sleep Patterns

“Consistent sleep patterns are essential in reducing Type 2 diabetes risk,” said lead author Sina Kianersi.

Advertisement
A man with a beard is pictured sound asleep in his bed

Source: Freepik

Regular sleep helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is vital in preventing diabetes. This study underscores the need to maintain a stable sleep routine.

The Impact of Sleep Duration

Interestingly, the risk associated with irregular sleep was more pronounced in those who generally slept longer.

Man is sleeping soundly in bed

Source: Freepik

This suggests that it’s not just about getting enough sleep, but also about having a regular sleep schedule.

Advertisement

Sleep and Blood Sugar Control

Poor sleep has long been known to affect blood sugar control, a key factor in diabetes.

A woman uses a glucose monitor app to track her blood sugar levels

Source: National Institute for Diabetes

High blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, are a hallmark of diabetes and can lead to serious health complications if not managed properly.

Advertisement

Previous Research on Sleep and Diabetes

A study from earlier this year found that people who sleep less than six hours per night have a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those who get seven to eight hours of sleep.

A woman lying down asleep in bed. She is wearing a jumper and has a book with a flower on top in her bed with her.

Source: Zohre Nemati/Unsplash

This supports the findings of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital study on the importance of sleep for diabetes prevention.

Advertisement

Study Limitations

While the findings are significant, the study had some limitations.

smiling adult daughter comforting elderly mother

Source: katemangostar, Freepik

The lifestyle data was collected up to five years before the sleep study began, and the seven-day monitoring period may not fully capture long-term sleep patterns. Additionally, the participants were predominantly older, healthy, and white.

Advertisement

Future Research Directions

To build on these findings, researchers plan to test their theories on younger, more diverse populations.

A woman sleeping on her side in bed. She has her head against a pillow and the duvet comes up to her waist.

Source: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

This will help determine if the results are applicable across different age groups and racial backgrounds, providing a broader understanding of sleep’s impact on diabetes risk.

Advertisement

Practical Tips for Better Sleep

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can be challenging but is essential for reducing diabetes risk.

A man wearing glasses and a dark robe is intently looking at a white smartphone he holds in his hands. He is sitting beside a bed covered with a white duvet

Source: Nubelson Fernandes/Unsplash

Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and avoid caffeine and electronics before bed to improve your sleep quality.

Advertisement

Wake-Up Call

This study serves as a wake-up call about the importance of sleep consistency.

A person sleeps on a bed beneath white blankets beside a green plant.

Source: Andisheh A/Unsplash

As diabetes continues to rise globally, making small changes to your sleep habits can have a significant impact on your health.

Advertisement