Longer daytime naps linked to type 2 diabetes, Japanese study suggests

September 16, 2016

Japanese scientists at the University of Tokyo suggest that daytime naps lasting for more than one hour could be a warning sign for type 2 diabetes. The link was found after the researchers analyzed observational studies involving more than 300,000 people.

The study found there was a link between long daytime naps of more than 60 minutes and a 45% increased risk of type 2 diabetes, compared with no daytime napping – but there was no link with naps of less than 40 minutes.

The researchers also said there was no evidence suggesting that napping during the day causes or increases the risk of diabetes. Results of the study are being presented at a meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Munich, Germany.

According to the researchers, longer daytime naps may be a result of disturbed nighttime sleep, potentially caused by sleep apnea. The sleeping disorder could increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, cardiovascular problems and other metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes.

An increased appetite, caused by sleep deprivation because of work or social life patterns, could also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

But it was also possible that people who were less healthy or in the early stages of diabetes were more likely to nap for longer during the day.Shorter naps, in contrast, were more likely to increase alertness and motor skills, the authors said.

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Category: Education, Features

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