Khaberni - A comprehensive scientific study has revealed that sleeping for 7 hours and 18 minutes daily may be the ideal duration to help reduce the risk of insulin resistance, a condition that is considered one of the most important precursors to type 2 diabetes.
The study, published in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, indicated that the duration of sleep is closely linked to metabolic health in the body, and that either excessive or insufficient sleep may negatively affect blood sugar regulation, according to a report published on the scientific website "MedicalXpress".
Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body becomes less responsive to the insulin hormone, which is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
Over time, this leads to increased sugar levels, which heightens the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and heart diseases.
To measure this relationship, the researchers used an indicator called the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), where lower values indicate a higher risk of insulin resistance.
The study was based on data from 23,475 participants aged between 20 and 80 years, collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States between the years 2009 and 2023.
The data showed that the average duration of sleep on weekdays was 7 hours and 30 minutes, while it increased to about 8 hours on weekends. Also, about 48% of the participants reported compensating for sleep shortfalls during the weekend.
The optimal sleep duration
Upon analyzing the results, the researchers noted a relationship in the form of an inverted curve between the duration of sleep and the estimated glucose disposal rate.
The results showed that the optimal point for the sleep duration was approximately 7 hours and 18 minutes, around which metabolic indicators declined. This effect was more pronounced among women and individuals aged between 40 and 59 years.
The study also examined what is called sleep compensation during the weekend. The results showed that individuals who sleep less than the ideal duration during the week could benefit from compensating sleep for an hour to two hours on the weekend, but those who sleep more than the ideal duration might experience a deterioration in glucose metabolism if they sleep more than two additional hours on the weekend.
A complex relationship between sleep and metabolism
The researchers indicate that there is a reciprocal relationship between sleep and metabolic health. On one hand, sleep disruption can lead to imbalances in blood sugar levels, and on the other hand, metabolic disorders themselves can alter sleep patterns. This could create a vicious cycle that negatively impacts health.
Despite the importance of the findings, the researchers emphasize that the study is observational and does not establish a direct causal relationship. It also relied on sleep data self-reported by the participants, which could affect the accuracy of the results.
