From thehansindia.com
A growing body of research is reshaping the way we understand health, and the latest findings suggest that something as simple and accessible as daylight could play a meaningful role in managing type 2 diabetes. A new study indicates that exposure to natural light can improve metabolic health and help people with the condition achieve better blood sugar control, highlighting the powerful link between light, the body’s internal clock, and metabolism.Conducted by researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland and Maastricht University in the Netherlands, the study offers the first direct evidence that natural daylight has measurable benefits for people living with type 2 diabetes. The findings were published in the scientific journal Cell Metabolism.
Daylight and blood sugar control
The study revealed that individuals exposed to natural light spent more hours each day with blood glucose levels within the normal range. Not only were their glucose levels better regulated, but they also showed less variability — a key factor in managing diabetes and preventing long-term complications. Compared to artificial lighting, daylight appeared to provide a more stable metabolic environment, helping the body process glucose more efficiently. This suggests that beyond diet and medication, environmental factors like light exposure may significantly influence glycaemic control.
The role of the body clock
For years, scientists have known that the disruption of circadian rhythms — the body’s internal 24-hour clock — is closely linked to metabolic disorders. Charna Dibner, associate professor at UNIGE and one of the study’s authors, explained that circadian misalignment plays a major role in the rising prevalence of metabolic diseases, particularly in Western societies.
Natural light acts as the strongest regulator of the circadian rhythm. By aligning the body’s internal clock more accurately with the day-night cycle, daylight helps coordinate metabolic processes, including insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. “This coordination between the central clock in the brain and the clocks in peripheral organs may be key to improved blood sugar regulation,” Dibner noted.
Inside the study
To explore this relationship in detail, the research team recruited 13 volunteers aged 65 and above, all diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Each participant spent 4.5 days in specially designed living environments. One setting was illuminated primarily by natural daylight entering through large windows, while the other relied on artificial lighting. After a washout period of at least four weeks, the volunteers returned for a second session, switching light environments. This crossover design allowed researchers to directly compare how the same individuals responded to different lighting conditions.
What the scientists measured
To understand the biological mechanisms behind the changes, the researchers collected blood and muscle samples before, during, and after each lighting exposure. They examined molecular clocks in skeletal muscle cells, along with lipids, metabolites, and gene transcripts in the blood. The analysis showed that natural light positively influenced the regulation of these molecular clocks, which play a crucial role in metabolic function. The results also pointed to improved fat oxidative metabolism, meaning the body was better able to burn fat for energy.
Beyond blood sugar: Sleep and hormones
Another notable finding was the impact of daylight on melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. Participants exposed to natural light had slightly higher melatonin levels in the evening, suggesting improved sleep signalling.
Better sleep quality and timing are closely linked to metabolic health, reinforcing the idea that daylight supports the body in multiple, interconnected ways.
A simple, promising intervention
Taken together, the findings strongly indicate that natural light influences both metabolism and the internal clock. This could explain the improved blood sugar regulation and metabolic coordination observed in the study.
While larger studies are needed to confirm these results, the research opens the door to new, non-invasive strategies for managing type 2 diabetes. Something as straightforward as increasing daily exposure to daylight — at home, work, or during outdoor activity — may one day become a valuable complement to existing treatments.
In an era of artificial lighting and indoor lifestyles, the study serves as a reminder that aligning with nature’s rhythms could be a powerful tool for better health.
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