Employees of Flinders University conducted a massive study involving nearly 85 thousand people. The aim of this work was to examine the relationship between exposure to light from electronic devices at night and an increased risk of diabetes. Exposure to light between 00:30 and 06:00 turns out to be a real health issue.
It has been proven that exposure to light at night leads to disruptions in circadian rhythms, leading to changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. Because of this, the body's ability to regulate sugar is impaired, which eventually leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. The researchers estimated that the risk rose by 67 percent.
In this study, from 2013 to 2016, 84,790 participants wore light sensors on their wrists for one week. Scientists have collected more than 13 million hours of data. Researchers have found that the risk of diabetes increases with increased exposure to light.
The study confirms the hypothesis that light can inhibit or alter the central circadian rhythm, thereby altering insulin production and glucose metabolism in the body. Night shifts and irregular sleep patterns can also be added to this list.