ATLANTA — Being exposed to light during a certain time of day can increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. According to the science, it all comes down to how you sleep.
Recently published in the Lancet Regional Health — Europe, a study helmed by Flinders University researchers in Australia discovered sleep disruption can play a significant role in diabetes development.
“We found that exposure to brighter light at night was associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” Andrew Phillips, a senior study author and associate professor at the university’s College of Medicine and Public Health, said in a news release.
“Light exposure at night can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism,” he continued. “Changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism caused by disrupted circadian rhythms affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can ultimately lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes.”