Simply sitting by a window and basking in sunlight may improve blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
In the international academic journal Cell Metabolism, researchers said simply sitting by a window for a few hours each day to be exposed to sunlight might boost metabolic health by reinforcing the body’s internal clock.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. This lifelong condition occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose.
Scientists discovered that people’s blood sugar levels stayed normal for half the time when they were in natural sunlight. In contrast, under man-made lights, their blood glucose stayed in a healthy range for about 43 per cent of the time.
For the study, the researchers put the volunteers in a room with a big window for 4.5 days. They got nine hours of natural sunlight each day, from 8 am to 5 pm. No artificial lighting was used during this period. Their daily routines — including sleep timing, physical activity, diet and diabetes medication — were kept constant.
Under the same conditions, the participants later spent another 4.5 days in a windowless room exposed only to artificial lighting. This phase of the experiment was conducted about a month later.
Analysis showed that blood sugar levels remained within the normal range for a longer duration (50 per cent of the total time) when participants were exposed to natural sunlight. In contrast, under artificial lighting, their blood sugar stayed normal for only about 43 per cent of the time.
The team attributed the variation to light-sensitive cells in the eyes, which play a key role in regulating metabolic cycles. These cells are particularly responsive to short wavelengths (blue light spectrum) abundant in natural sunlight.
Professor Joris Hoeks, who led the study, pointed out that extended periods of time outside the normal glucose range raise the risk of long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disease, even though the difference may seem slight.
The researchers said the effect of sunlight is related to the light-sensitive cells in the eyes that aid in controlling metabolic and circadian rhythms. Natural daylight contains a lot of short-wavelength (blue) light, which these cells react especially well to.
A better circadian clock promotes melatonin production at night and improves sensitivity. It also improves fat metabolism, proper utilisation of energy and sleep quality.
Professor Glen Jeffrey of University College London’s Department of Visual Neuroscience, who was not involved in the study, was a reminder of the significance of daylight for general health but warned that more extensive clinical trials are required to validate the advantages and ascertain how daylight exposure might be integrated into the treatment of diabetes.
Experts declared that while sun exposure may be a straightforward lifestyle support in addition to medication, diet and exercise, it should not take the place of prescribed diabetes treatment.
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