Sleeping in a room exposed to outdoor artificial light at night may increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to a study of nearly 100,000 Chinese adults.
People who lived in areas of China with high light pollution at night were about 28% more likely to develop diabetes than people who lived in the least polluted areas.
Ultimately, more than nine million cases of diabetes among Chinese adults aged 18 and older may be caused by outdoor light pollution at night, the authors said, adding that this number is likely to rise as more people move to cities.
However, the lack of darkness affects more than urban areas. Light pollution in cities is so widespread that it can affect suburbs and forest parks that can be tens, even hundreds of kilometers from the light source.
The study confirms previous research on the potential harmful effects of light at night on metabolic function and diabetes risk.
The effect of light at night on health...
Previous research has shown a link between artificial night light and weight gain and obesity, impaired metabolic function, insulin secretion, and the development of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors.
A study published earlier this year examined the role of light in sleep in healthy adults in their 20s. Sleeping for just one night with dimmed lights, such as the TV with the sound off, increased blood sugar and heart rate in young people during a sleep lab experiment.
Elevated heart rate at night has been shown in previous studies to be a risk factor for future heart disease and premature death, while higher blood sugar is a sign of insulin resistance, which can ultimately lead to type 2 diabetes.
"Healthy sleep is extremely important in preventing the development of diabetes." Studies suggest that inconsistent sleep patterns have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
The new study used data from the 2010 China Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance Study, which asked representative samples of the Chinese population about social demographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and family health history. Blood samples were taken and compared to satellite images of light levels in the area of China where each person lived.
The analysis found that chronic exposure to light pollution at night increased blood glucose levels and led to a higher risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
However, any direct link between diabetes and night time light pollution is still unclear, as living in an urban area is itself a known contributor to the development of diabetes.
“It has long been known that living in an urbanized area increases your risk of obesity through increased access to high-fat and processed foods, lower levels of physical activity due to transport links and less social activity.
Ways to block light
Strategies to reduce light levels at night include placing your bed away from windows and using light-blocking window shades. If low light levels persist, try a sleep mask to protect your eyes.
Be aware of the type of light you have in your bedroom and turn off all lights in the blue spectrum, such as those emitted by electronic devices such as televisions, smartphones, tablets and laptops – blue light is the most stimulating type of light.
If you must have a light on for safety reasons, change the color. You want to choose lights that have more reddish or brownish tones. If a night light is needed, keep it dimmed and at floor level for more reflection." than next to your eye at bed level.
Avoid sleeping with the TV on – if you tend to fall asleep with the TV on, set it on a timer. In the evening, dim the ambient lights at least two to three hours before bed, and if you “absolutely must” use the computer or other light-emitting screens, change the wavelength of the screen light to a longer orange-amber. It is important that there is light during the day — daylight is healthy!"
I agree with this
True words choose to explain.
Very informative
Daylight is healthy👍
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