A recent study suggests that spending time near windows may help individuals with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels by enhancing glucose regulation through natural light exposure.
A new study published in *Cell Metabolism* indicates that spending time near windows can assist people with type 2 diabetes in managing their blood sugar levels. The research links exposure to natural light with improved glucose regulation.
According to the study, sitting next to a window may positively influence insulin levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that natural light, even when experienced indoors, alters how the body processes glucose and utilizes energy. In Western societies, people typically spend 80% to 90% of their time under artificial lighting, which is often dimmer and less dynamic than sunlight. Natural daylight serves as a powerful cue for the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm.
The body’s internal clock plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including digestion, hormone release, and metabolism. When this clock becomes misaligned, it can exacerbate insulin resistance and blood sugar control issues, which are significant challenges for those with type 2 diabetes.
To investigate the effects of daylight on blood sugar management, scientists recruited 13 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Each participant spent two separate 4.5-day periods in a controlled office environment. During one period, they worked in front of large windows with natural light streaming in. In the other period, they worked in the same room, but with the windows covered, relying solely on typical indoor lighting.
Throughout both conditions, participants consumed similar meals, adhered to the same schedule, and maintained their usual diabetes medications. While average blood sugar levels did not show significant differences between the two settings, the findings revealed that individuals spent more time within a healthy glucose range when exposed to natural daylight. Their blood sugar levels fluctuated less and remained within a desirable range for a more extended period during the daylight exposure.
The study also noted that exposure to natural light positively impacted metabolism. Participants burned more fat and fewer carbohydrates for energy when they were in daylight conditions. Muscle biopsies and laboratory tests indicated that the genes responsible for regulating the body’s cellular clocks were more synchronized under natural light, which can enhance nutrient processing and improve cellular responses to insulin.
However, the researchers emphasized that natural daylight should not replace medication or traditional management strategies such as diet and exercise. They acknowledged some limitations in the study, including the small sample size, and called for larger studies to confirm these results and determine the optimal amount of natural light exposure needed for effective blood sugar management.
The study also highlights the often-overlooked impact of the built environment on health and raises concerns about the prevalence of office settings with inadequate access to natural daylight.
According to the researchers, “This study also highlights the often unnoticed impact of the built environment on our health, and raises further concerns about the prevalence of office environments with poor (natural) daylight access.”
As awareness of the benefits of natural light grows, individuals with type 2 diabetes may find that simple changes to their environments could contribute to better health outcomes.
For more information, refer to the original study published in *Cell Metabolism*.