A recent study shows that a consistent sleep schedule can provide advantages to metabolic health. A regular sleep pattern decreases the risk factors that stimulate metabolic disorders like diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and other serious diseases. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded the survey which was issued in a health magazine. The study used over 2,000 male and female participants, aged between 45 and 84 years old, who wore actigraph wristbands. The device observed the sleep-wake cycles of the participants in 7 days. They also had a sleep journal and answered a questionnaire about their sleep patterns, way of living and other health data. It was found that for every 1-hour variance of sleep time each day, there was a 27% risk of acquiring metabolic diseases.

According to Tianyi Huang, the study author, “Many previous studies have shown the link between insufficient sleep and a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.” The survey resulted to a conclusion that the participants with the highest inconsistency in their sleep schedule and duration have a higher chance of developing metabolic illnesses ahead of time. Metabolic risks factors include large waistlines, high cholesterol, and blood fats. Even though it was not yet defined, the authors believed that inconsistent sleep pattern and sleep duration might really affect metabolic risks. Susan Redline, the study co-author, also added, “Our results suggest that maintaining a regular sleep schedule has beneficial metabolic effects.”