Do you consider yourself a night owl, going to bed late and waking up late? A new study indicates that this type of sleep schedule may be detrimental to your health.
The study on night owls
Researchers at Northumbria University in the UK wanted to better understand the link between circadian rhythms and eating patterns and how the link affects cardiometabolic health. They were concerned that this relationship, called “chrono-nutrition,” could be altered enough to cause disruptions in blood pressure, glucose control and lipid metabolism.
The scientists looked at the data from previous studies and found some patterns. For example, adults that went to bed later tended not to eat as healthy as those who went to bed at regular times. More specifically, they consumed more caffeine, sugar and alcohol. They were also more likely skip breakfast, eat fewer grains and vegetables and eat fewer but bigger meals.
Why night owls have more health risks
This pattern seems to offer an explanation as to why night owls have an increased risk of heart disease and other metabolic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. One study in particular indicated that night owls were 2.5times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who got up early.
But it’s not just about what or how much the night owls eat. “Our review also found that people who have a poorer control of their diabetes are more likely to be evening types,” explains study lead Dr. Suzana Almoosawi.
Part of the problem is that circadian fluctuations in glucose metabolism may mediate the tie to diabetes. Glucose levels decline during the day and are at their lowest in the evening. But nigh owls eat so late in the day that their glucose spikes right before they go to bed. This pattern works against the body’s normal biological processes.
