Here’s another reason to fight for a window seat: it may help regulate your blood sugar levels
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Exposure to Natural Light Can Improve Blood Sugar Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes
Many of us sit by a window to boost our mood, but exposure to natural light during the day also seems to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Our cells and tissues follow circadian rhythms, 24-hour cycles of metabolic activity that regulate things like blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that exposure to artificial light at night disrupts these rhythms, raising blood sugar levels, while spending more time outside in sunlight seems to enhance the body’s response to insulin, a hormone that helps keep these levels in check.
Research Study on Natural Light Exposure
Joris Hoeks and his colleagues at Maastricht University in the Netherlands conducted a study involving 13 people with type 2 diabetes to investigate the effects of natural light exposure on blood sugar control. The participants spent 4.5 days in a room with large windows, where they were solely exposed to natural light between 8am and 5pm.
The participants continued to take their usual diabetes medications, sat at a desk with access to electronic devices set to low brightness, and followed a specific meal and exercise routine. The researchers also conducted a similar experiment with the participants in windowless rooms with only artificial lighting.
Results and Implications
During the natural-light week, the participants’ blood sugar levels remained within a healthy range 50% of the time, compared to 43% of the time in the artificial light experiment. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial for reducing the risk of diabetes complications.
Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms behind the benefits of sunlight exposure on blood sugar control. However, the simple act of sitting by a window and getting natural light can have a positive impact on individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Expert Opinions
Glen Jeffery at University College London emphasizes the importance of daylight in regulating metabolic activity and suggests that larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
