“spending more time out in the sun improves blood sugar control,” said Ivo Habets of Maastricht University, the Netherlands…The research, presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Germany
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. With type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.
Natural light is the light emitted from the sun. It is different from artificial light, which is the light emitted from electric bulbs and other man-made sources. Natural light is essential for life, and it has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including:
- Improved mood
- Increased energy levels
- Better sleep quality
- Reduced risk of depression
- Stronger immune system
Recent research has also shown that exposure to natural light may help treat and prevent type 2 diabetes.
How does natural light help treat and prevent type 2 diabetes?
There are a number of ways in which natural light may help to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes. One way is by helping to regulate our circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm is controlled by a part of our brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN uses light to tell the body when it is time to be awake and when it is time to sleep.
When we are exposed to natural light during the day, it helps to keep our circadian rhythm on track. This can help to improve our sleep quality and reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Another way in which natural light may help to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes is by improving our metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which our bodies convert food into energy. Natural light can help to improve our metabolism by increasing our levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for many bodily functions, including metabolism. Studies have shown that people with low levels of vitamin D are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Natural light may also help to reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes by improving our insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that helps our bodies to use glucose for energy. When we are resistant to insulin, our bodies don’t respond properly to the hormone and our blood sugar levels can rise.
Studies have shown that people who are exposed to more natural light are more likely to have better insulin sensitivity. This means that they are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
How much natural light do you need?
Experts recommend that we get at least 30 minutes of exposure to natural light each day. The best time to get natural light is in the morning. This is because morning light is brightest and has the highest levels of blue light. Blue light is the type of light that is most effective at regulating our circadian rhythm.
Tips for getting more natural light
Here are a few tips for getting more natural light:
- Spend time at least 30 minutes of exposure to natural light each day. Even if it is cloudy, you can still get some of the benefits of natural light.
- Open your curtains and blinds during the day.
- Sit near a window when you are working or watching TV.
- Eat your meals outside or by a window.
- Take breaks throughout the day to go for a walk or sit outside.
Ahywhoo, Getting some rays from the big yellow ball in the sky might just do wonders for your diabetes battles! Just remember to bask in the glorious sunlight for a solid 30 minutes each day. So, throw open those curtains, step out into the great outdoors, or simply park yourself near a window. Let nature’s spotlight be your secret weapon against those blood-sugar blues!
Additional resources:
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
- American Diabetes Association (ADA): https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2
- Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
Be the first to comment