A new study from China finds that seven hours and 18 minutes of sleep per night correlates with the lowest insulin resistance-key to preventing type 2 diabetes. The long-term observational research, spanning 2009 to 2023, included approximately 25,000 participants.
Both shorter and longer sleep durations were linked to poorer metabolic health. Weekend catch-up sleep did not compensate for weekday deficits, with excessive sleep associated with worse glucose metabolism in some cases.
The findings are correlational, not causal, and self-reported sleep data may limit accuracy. Sleep quality, diet, stress, and shift work were not measured.
Experts agree sleep is one factor among many-genetics, weight, diet, and physical activity play critical roles. However, maintaining consistent, quality sleep between seven and nine hours remains a key part of diabetes risk reduction.
