If you are used to waking up early on weekdays and sleeping for another two hours or more on weekend nights, your insulin production may improve, according to Dr. Peter Liu of the University of Sydney.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. There are genetic causes, but obesity, poor diet, insufficient exercise and lack of sleep are associated with the disease. In his study, Dr. Liu recruited 19 healthy men with an average age of 29 years.
To see how more weekend sleep helps our health, the researchers took blood samples from people who had a six-hour sleep weekend, and after those who had a 10-hour sleep. They found that when men woke up from 10-hour sleep, insulin worked better, which is a key factor in preventing the development of diabetes. Up to 60% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
Sleep Affects Diabetes (April 2024)
- Diabetes, Sleep
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