Researchers from the University of California (UC) Berkeley have discovered that deep sleep has a significant impact on blood sugar control. Their study suggests that the increased responsiveness of the body to insulin during deep sleep helps regulate blood sugar levels the following day. Lack of quality sleep has long been associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
The study, which analyzed sleep data from 600 individuals, found that a stronger and more frequent synchronization of deep sleep brain waves, specifically the sleep spindles and slow waves, activated the body's parasympathetic nervous system. This branch of the nervous system is responsible for soothing and calming the body by producing physiological effects such as slowing down the heart rate and dilating blood vessels. The researchers observed this shift by measuring changes in participants' heart rates.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that transitioning into this tranquil state enhanced the body's responsiveness to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. Insulin instructs cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream, preventing harmful blood sugar spikes.
The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, highlights that these synchronized brain waves serve as a trigger, initiating a chain reaction from the brain to the heart and eventually influencing the body's blood sugar regulation. Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study, explained that the coupling of sleep spindles and slow waves during deep sleep has previously been associated with improved learning and memory. However, this study reveals a novel and previously unrecognized function of these brain waves in relation to blood sugar management.
The researchers replicated their findings by examining another group of 1,900 participants. They suggest that sleep, as a modifiable lifestyle factor, could be utilized in the treatment of high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the study opens up the possibility of developing new technologies that can safely alter deep sleep brain waves to help individuals better manage their blood sugar levels.
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