Night owls, those who stay up late and wake up late, face a surprising health risk, according to new research.
Scientists from Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands found that night owls have a nearly 50% higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes compared to their early-rising counterparts.
What Makes a Night Owl?
Night owls, also known as having a “late chronotype,” prefer to stay awake and active late into the night. Their body clocks are often out of sync with society’s early schedules.
Researchers found that this mismatch between body clock and daily routines could be linked to an increased risk of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. But there’s more to the story than just lifestyle.
How Sleep Schedules Affect Your Health
Researchers have long known that poor sleep habits can affect overall health. However, this new study highlights how being out of sync with social and work schedules can cause circadian misalignment, potentially leading to metabolic issues.
When your body’s internal clock doesn’t match external demands, it can trigger disturbances in how your body handles glucose and fat.
A Startling Statistic
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Leiden University’s study, presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in 2023, revealed that night owls had a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
This was after accounting for lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, and exercise. The research found that the elevated risk wasn’t just due to lifestyle but could be tied to deeper biological mechanisms.
Lifestyle Plays a Role, But It’s Not the Whole Story
It’s easy to assume that the higher risk of diabetes in night owls is solely because of unhealthy habits like smoking or eating junk food.
While these factors play a role, the study shows that even when lifestyle factors are taken into account, night owls still have a higher risk. This suggests that something beyond lifestyle is at play in the link between late bedtimes and diabetes.
Impact of Circadian Misalignment
The researchers suggest that one likely culprit is circadian misalignment. Dr. Jeroen van der Velde, the lead researcher, explained, “A likely explanation is that the circadian rhythm or body clock in late chronotypes is out of sync with the work and social schedules followed by society.”
This misalignment can cause disruptions in how the body processes energy, leading to metabolic disorders.
Body Fat Distribution and Diabetes Risk
Another key finding from the study was the link between body fat distribution and diabetes risk. Night owls were found to have a higher BMI, more visceral fat (the harmful fat surrounding organs), and higher liver fat content.
This buildup of fat can contribute to insulin resistance, one of the major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.
Time-Restricted Eating
One idea proposed by researchers is for night owls to try time-restricted eating. This means avoiding food after a certain hour, such as 6 p.m.
Though the study didn’t measure meal timing, Dr. van der Velde noted that “there is growing evidence that time-restricted eating may lead to metabolic benefits.” Put plainly, adjusting meal times could help reduce the risk of diabetes in late chronotypes.
Tracking Participants Over Six Years
To gather these findings, researchers tracked more than 5,000 participants for an average of 6.6 years. The group consisted of people from the Netherlands, aged mostly in their mid-50s. Of these participants, 225 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during the study period.
Their health was monitored using MRI scans to measure body fat, waist circumference, and overall body mass index (BMI).
Could Your Sleep Schedule Be Putting You at Risk?
If you identify as a night owl, this research might be a wake-up call. With late bedtimes and disrupted sleep schedules potentially increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 50%, it’s important to consider how your sleep habits might affect your long-term health.
Making small adjustments, such as altering meal times or going to bed earlier, could have big benefits.
What’s Next in the Research?
The Leiden University team hopes to continue studying the effects of circadian rhythms on metabolic health.
Dr. van der Velde said, “In time, we aim to provide specific advice regarding the timing of lifestyle behaviors.” For now, the key takeaway is that sleep timing matters.
Practical Steps to Reduce Your Risk
While the evidence is still emerging, there are practical steps night owls can take to potentially reduce their diabetes risk.
These include eating earlier in the evening, sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, and prioritizing physical activity during the day.
