From diabetes.co.uk/news
Research suggests that even among those with blood glucose levels considered “normal,” certain levels following glucose intake could be associated with significantly lower mortality risk.
A remarkable insight into blood glucose and longevity comes from the long-running Ohasama Study, conducted in a small agricultural community in Japan’s Tohoku region.
For over four decades, researchers have tracked the health of residents in Ohasama, regularly collecting detailed health and medical data.
Participants in this comprehensive study underwent glucose tolerance tests every four years. These tests measure blood sugar levels before and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink, commonly used to diagnose diabetes.
A team of researchers, led by Junta Imai and Hideki Katagiri from Tohoku University, analysed data from nearly 1,000 participants and published their findings in the scientific journal PNAS Nexus. The study initially explored how various health measures, including glucose tolerance tests, correlated with life expectancy.
Imai noted that even after accounting for known risk factors such as age, obesity, and smoking, the level of blood glucose one hour after glucose intake remained strongly linked to mortality.
Researchers split participants into two groups based on a median blood glucose threshold of 162 mg/dL (9 mmol/L).
Their analysis revealed that participants whose blood glucose was lower than this threshold one hour after glucose consumption showed significantly better survival rates.
To refine the findings further, the researchers focused on 595 participants who had normal glucose tolerance, establishing that a blood glucose threshold of 170 mg/dL (9.4 mmol/L) after one hour was the most reliable predictor of survival.
Over a 20-year follow-up period, nearly 80% of those with blood glucose below 170 mg/dL (9.4 mmol/L) one hour after glucose intake were still alive, compared to only about 50% of those with higher glucose levels.
This striking difference highlights a substantial health advantage associated with maintaining lower blood sugar levels soon after meals.
Digging deeper into causes of death, the study found that participants whose one-hour post-glucose levels stayed below 170 mg/dL had significantly fewer deaths from heart disease linked to atherosclerosis and fewer cancer-related deaths.
Lead researcher Imai concluded, “Our results show that even within what is considered a normal blood glucose range, some levels are clearly associated with greater longevity. As well as preventing diabetes, it’s important to manage spikes in blood glucose levels after eating to reduce risks of heart disease and cancer. This could help people enjoy longer, healthier lives.”
Read the study here.
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