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  "path": "/health/diabetes-insulin-resistance-sleep-duration",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-04T11:15:21.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Can a low-carb diet reverse type 2 diabetes? Expert reveals what 'remission' requires",
    "'I'm a dentist and your mouth is one of the first places diabetes reveals itself'",
    "Top food-pairing habits to stop blood sugar soaring, according to a nutritionist",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nNew findings appear to suggest there may be a magic number when it comes to sleep and diabetes risk. And it is a surprisingly precise one.\n\nA substantial observational study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care suggests sleeping precisely 7 hours and 18 minutes each night could represent the ideal duration for minimising insulin resistance risk.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe research, which serves as a precursor indicator for type 2 diabetes, analysed data from 23,475 participants, revealing a notable caveat regarding weekend lie-ins.\n\nFor individuals who already exceed the optimal nightly sleep threshold, catching up on rest during weekends appears linked to an elevated risk of impaired glucose metabolism.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe study draws on extensive survey data to examine how sleep patterns may influence metabolic health outcomes.\n\nResearchers employed the estimated glucose disposal rate, known as eGDR, as their primary measure for assessing insulin resistance.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThis metric is calculated using waist circumference, fasting blood glucose levels and blood pressure readings.\n\nLower eGDR values indicate greater insulin resistance risk, while higher figures suggest reduced susceptibility.\n\nThe team drew on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, spanning 2009 to 2023, with participants ranging from 20 to 80 years of age.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Can a low-carb diet reverse type 2 diabetes? Expert reveals what 'remission' requires\n  * 'I'm a dentist and your mouth is one of the first places diabetes reveals itself'\n  * Top food-pairing habits to stop blood sugar soaring, according to a nutritionist\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOf those studied, 10,817 individuals provided information about their weekend sleeping habits.\n\nWeekend catch-up sleep was classified into four categories: none, up to one hour, one to two hours, and exceeding two hours.\n\nThe data analysis uncovered an inverted U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and eGDR, pinpointing 7 hours and 18 minutes as the metabolic sweet spot.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSleeping beyond this threshold correlated with diminished eGDR scores, with women and those aged 40 to 59 showing particular vulnerability to this effect.\n\nWhat is more, the impact of weekend recovery sleep differed markedly depending on weekday habits.\n\nThose sleeping less than the optimal amount during the week saw improved eGDR with one to two hours of weekend catch-up sleep.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nConversely, individuals already exceeding the threshold experienced lower eGDR when adding more than two hours of weekend rest.\n\nThe researchers highlight a complex two-way relationship between sleep and metabolic function.\n\n\"Importantly, there appears to be a bidirectional relationship between sleep and metabolism. For instance, poor glycemic status itself has been linked to a higher likelihood of both short and extended sleep durations, as well as sleep disorders,\" they explained.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThis creates what the team describes as a potential vicious cycle of metabolic disruption and abnormal sleep patterns.\n\nBeing observational in nature, the study cannot establish causation and the reliance on self-reported sleep data represents a limitation.\n\nThe researchers conclude these findings \"could inform considerations for health care professionals in managing patient care\".\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "How to avoid diabetes: Scientists pinpoint exact sleep duration you need to beat insulin resistance"
}