New Study Finds Night Owls at Higher Risk of Developing Diabetes
If you find yourself struggling to get out of bed in the morning but energized at night, you may be a night owl. According to a new study, this sleep pattern, or chronotype, could increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
The study, conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, found that night owls had a 72% increased risk of developing diabetes over an eight-year period. The researchers also discovered strong connections between a “late-to-bed-and-rise” sleep style and unhealthy habits such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol use, unhealthy BMI, smoking, and irregular sleep patterns.
Even after accounting for these unhealthy behaviors, the risk of night owls developing type 2 diabetes dropped only to 19%, compared to early birds. However, researchers believe that there may be some genetic predisposition contributing to both diabetes and the preference for evening activities.
Dr. Bhanu Prakash Kolla, a sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, suggests that individuals with a clear evening preference should be aware of these risks and take steps to moderate their alcohol use, stop smoking, increase physical activity, get enough sleep, and manage other risk factors as best as they can.
Every person has an internal circadian rhythm that regulates the release of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. This rhythm affects various bodily functions, including hunger, bowel movements, energy levels, and immune system activity. Disrupting this rhythm through poor sleep habits can negatively impact these functions and increase the risk of developing chronic illnesses.
A previous study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine followed nearly 64,000 nurses over an eight-year period and found significant associations between night owls working during the day and higher risk of developing diabetes. However, there was no association for night owls who worked later in the day or during overnight shifts.
The study emphasizes the importance of personalized work scheduling and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While being a night owl may be influenced by genetics, adopting healthy habits can help mitigate these risks.
It’s not the first study to identify an association between a late sleep chronotype and unhealthy behaviors that contribute to disease. Previous research found that night owls had a higher likelihood of dying early due to bad habits formed during late-night hours, including drinking and smoking. Night owls also tend to be more sedentary, have lower fitness levels, higher levels of visceral body fat, and increased insulin resistance.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for night owls to be proactive in maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. By adopting healthy habits such as better sleep, improved diet, regular exercise, and moderation in alcohol intake, night owls can mitigate their risk and improve their overall health.