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DiabetesFeature StoriesDiabetes GuideOverview TypesSymptoms DiagnosisTreatmentLiving With Understanding Blood SugarDiet ExerciseBetter LivingComplicationsRelated ConditionsType 2 Diabetes OverviewSymptoms CausesDiagnosis TestsPrevention TreatmentLiving ManagingComplications Related DiseasesType 1 Diabetes OverviewTreating ManagingComplications Related ConditionsGestational DiabetesAppointment Prep View Full Guide Is There a Relationship Between Blood Sugar Levels and Sleep?Medically Reviewed by Dany Paul Baby, MD on July 04, 2022Written by Nicklya Harris-Ray2 min read

Exercise, diet, and sleep are important for an overall healthy way of life. We know how a bad diet and sedentary lifestyle affect health, but little research has been done to determine what role sleep plays in health. Sleep quality directly affects the risk of many life-threatening medical conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. 

Sleeping disorders and health problems have a relationship, reflecting how the body handles blood sugar levels at rest. Sleep conditions like obstructive sleep apnea are related to the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and associated complications from the disease. There is evidence that shows a link between quality and duration of sleep and the ability of the body to regulate glucose. 

Blood sugar levels go up at night whether you are sleeping or not. This is part of your body's normal circadian rhythm cycle. Blood sugar normally fluctuates overnight and during sleep. This is not a cause for concern for those in good health. Unregulated sleep, though, can cause unhealthy blood sugar levels. Decreased sleep then causes the risk factor for increased blood sugar levels to rise. Any level of sleep deprivation can increase insulin resistance, which results in increased blood sugar levels, so diabetes is often associated with a lack of sleep. 

A study showed that plasma glucose and insulin secretion rates increased with early bedtimes and returned to pre-sleep levels at a later bedtime. Major differences in glucose levels and secretion of insulin were found during times of sleep deprivation. The levels were stable during the first part of the night, then decreased rapidly. The study concluded that sleep has significant effects on glucose use by the brain and tissues. This suggests disturbances in normal sleep patterns negatively affect glucose levels. 

Physical health and sleep are very intertwined, so it is unsurprising that sleep affects the level of blood sugar in the body. This relationship, however, is complex. There is no one formula that explains the exact relationship between blood sugar fluctuations and sleep.  

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SOURCES:

American Journal of Physiology: “Relationships between sleep quality and glucose regulation in normal humans.”

Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes: “Poor quality of sleep and falling asleep later are associated with poorer control of blood sugar after meals.”

SleepFoundation.org: “Sleep and Blood Glucose Levels.”

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