Metabolic syndrome is a collective term for several conditions that increase the risk of, among other things, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. An important factor in this context is insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance means that the body’s cells respond less effectively to insulin. This can make it more difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar.
Researchers are therefore increasingly investigating how different lifestyle factors affect metabolism.
Sleep is one of the factors that several studies have shown may play a role.
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Study of sleep
A study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care analyzed data from the American health survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers reviewed information from 23,475 adult participants. Pregnant individuals and people under the age of 20 were not included in the analysis.
In the study, participants’ sleep duration was compared with a calculation of the body’s estimated glucose metabolism.
This measurement is based, among other things, on long-term blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference, and it is used to assess the degree of insulin resistance.
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The results
The analysis showed a clear relationship between sleep duration and the body’s handling of blood sugar.
According to the study, the most beneficial sleep duration was around 7 hours and 19 minutes per night. Up to this level, longer sleep was associated with better insulin sensitivity.
When sleep exceeded this amount, however, the data showed a tendency toward poorer values for the body’s glucose metabolism.
The study also suggests that people who get too little sleep during the week may benefit from getting a little extra sleep on weekends.
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At the same time, the researchers emphasize that the results show an association and not necessarily a direct cause.
Sources: Medical News Today, and BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.
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