Sleeping more reduces risk of diabetes & heart disease, study reveals

Apart from enhanced mental focus and increased energy reserves, scientists have discovered yet another reason why you should be getting at least six hours of sleep daily: it reduces the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Reuters reports that sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome -- a combination of conditions comprised of high blood sugar, high cholesterol, excess body fat in the blood and around the midsection, and high blood pressure -- which could lead to chronic, life-threatening illnesses.

"The 'short' sleepers should be aware of the risks of developing metabolic syndrome," said lead Dr. Jang Young Kim of Yonsei University in South Korea, the study's lead researcher.

Close to 2,600 adults participated in the study. Between 2005 to 2008 and 2008 to 2011, participants were asked to answer surveys that included questions on their sleeping habits, activities, and lifestyle. They were also requested to undergo medical exams and provide their medical history.

Kim and his team of researchers found that participants who slept for 6 hours or less a night were 41 percent more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome than those who had 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Follow-up reports revealed that 560, or roughly 22 percent of the participants actually developed metabolic syndrome.  

Not getting enough sleep increased the risk of high blood sugar levels and excess belly fat by as much as 30 percent. It also increased the risk of hypertension by as much as 56 percent, according to Newsmax.

While the study relied heavily on participants accurately describing their sleeping habits, medical conditions, and daily lifestyle, University of Chicago sleep researcher Kirsten Knutson says the findings are aligned with other studies relating sleep to the incidence heart diseases and metabolic syndrome.

"The strength of this study is that it is a prospective study, which means short sleep was associated with the development of metabolic syndrome," said Knutson. "This is important because the sleep duration was measured before the people had the disease."

Should you or your friends and loved ones be sleep-deprived, Knutson recommends taking a closer look at your daily routines to identify factors that cause you to sleep less. It could be that you drink caffeinated drinks before going to bed, check emails, browse social media networks, or play games from your smartphone, or distracted by the noise of the television in the bedroom. More importantly, Knutson says to designate a time for much-needed rest. Your body will thank you for it.