Sleeping Less Than 6 Hours Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

A recent study has uncovered that individuals who sleep less than six hours per night are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which contains information on approximately 250,000 adults, to investigate the relationship between total sleep duration and type 2 diabetes risk.

The study aimed to explore the relationship between total sleep duration and type 2 diabetes risk. Participants were asked to report their total hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, with short sleep duration categorized as mild (six hours), moderate (five hours), or extreme (three to four hours).

The findings showed that although a healthy diet is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, individuals who slept less than six hours per day had an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who slept for five hours had a 16% greater risk, while those who slept for three to four hours had a 41% higher risk compared to those who slept for seven to eight hours.

Prior studies have also shown that getting between seven to eight hours of sleep per night is associated with the lowest risk of diabetes. However, individual differences in sleep quality and lifestyle can also influence the relationship between sleep duration and diabetes risk.

The authors of the study suggest that engaging in high-intensity interval exercise during the day can help mitigate the potential effects of short sleep on diabetes risk. They emphasize that it may not always be possible to get enough sleep, but prioritizing healthy habits and physical activity can reduce the risk of this chronic disease.

In conclusion, inadequate sleep can significantly impact an individual’s chance of developing type 2 diabetes, even with a healthy diet. It is crucial to prioritize healthy sleeping habits and engage in regular physical activity as part of an overall approach towards reducing this chronic disease’s risks.