The Association Between Napping and Type 2 Diabetes
Millions of people around the world suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic illness in which the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar levels. The reason T2DM involves difficulty regulating blood sugar levels is that the body begins to have trouble responding to insulin properly, and thus can’t use the glucose obtained from food as energy. T2DM has serious side effects, including renal damage, neurological problems, and eyesight loss.
As more and more people get diagnosed with T2DM, scientists are looking into lifestyle factors, such as sleeping patterns, that may play a role in the disease’s development. Although not getting enough sleep at night has already been acknowledged as a risk factor for T2DM, new studies have begun to look at the effects of napping.
Research from Chinese researchers suggests that naps longer than 30 minutes may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 8 to 21% and are associated with increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for T2DM. However, naps that are shorter than 30 minutes appear to have no significant impact on diabetes risk. For those without diabetes, long naps can increase the risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), heightened glucose levels after eating which lead to more difficulty in regulating future blood sugar levels and ultimately to T2DM. Therefore, sleep duration is a significant consideration when improving one’s body's response to insulin and reducing the chances of getting diagnosed with diabetes.
As more and more people get diagnosed with T2DM, scientists are looking into lifestyle factors, such as sleeping patterns, that may play a role in the disease’s development. Although not getting enough sleep at night has already been acknowledged as a risk factor for T2DM, new studies have begun to look at the effects of napping.
Research from Chinese researchers suggests that naps longer than 30 minutes may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 8 to 21% and are associated with increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for T2DM. However, naps that are shorter than 30 minutes appear to have no significant impact on diabetes risk. For those without diabetes, long naps can increase the risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), heightened glucose levels after eating which lead to more difficulty in regulating future blood sugar levels and ultimately to T2DM. Therefore, sleep duration is a significant consideration when improving one’s body's response to insulin and reducing the chances of getting diagnosed with diabetes.
Long naps increase blood sugar levels in people without diabetes, resulting in a phenomenon known as impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
Image Source: AS Photography
There are many underlying reasons why the risk of diabetes is greater for those who take prolonged naps. Extended naps can increase the levels of chemicals linked to inflammation, from which obesity and T2DM stem. Longer naps can also cause sleep disturbances at night, which can worsen blood sugar regulation and further raise inflammation. Finally, extended naps can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which is the body's inborn sleeping cycle controlled by the naturally-occuring chemical melatonin. However, during prolonged naps, specifically during the afternoon, melatonin production gets disrupted, which makes it harder to fall asleep at night.
Overall, excessive insulin resistance and blood sugar levels that vary greatly due to inadequate sleep at night might increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to the results of the study, the length and quality of sleep have an impact on the risk of diabetes. Taking shorter naps (less than 30 minutes) offers relaxation without the drawbacks associated with extended naps.
Overall, excessive insulin resistance and blood sugar levels that vary greatly due to inadequate sleep at night might increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to the results of the study, the length and quality of sleep have an impact on the risk of diabetes. Taking shorter naps (less than 30 minutes) offers relaxation without the drawbacks associated with extended naps.
Featured Image Source: Pixabay
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