Late Dinner May Be Key to Managing Prediabetes, New Research Suggests
Barcelona, Spain - A new study published in the journal Nutrients indicates that when individuals with prediabetes eat dinner, not just what they eat, considerably impacts overnight blood sugar regulation and could be crucial in preventing progression to Type 2 diabetes. researchers at Oberta University of Catalonia (UOC) and collaborating American institutes found that eating dinner earlier in the evening makes it more challenging to control blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes is defined as a glycemic disorder where fasting blood sugar levels fall between 1.10 g/l and 1.25 g/l – higher than the normal level of less than 1.10 g/l, but below the 1.26 g/l threshold for Type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes can frequently enough prevent the progression to full-blown diabetes.
The study, involving 33 participants aged 50-75 who were overweight or obese and prediabetic, meticulously tracked blood sugar levels while providing participants with “controlled” meals – specifically designed menus with measured carbohydrate intake. Researchers discovered a correlation between meal timing and overnight glucose control.
“The earlier the meal, the more difficult it is to regulate blood sugar, while its nutritional intake remains crucial to control nocturnal blood sugar,” the researchers state in their findings.
diana Díaz-Rizzolo, lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences of UOC and co-author of the study, emphasized the need for personalized dietary recommendations. “this details could be essential to formulate more personalized recommendations, taking into account not only the sensitivity to insulin, but also the circadian profile of each individual (morning or evening).”
the study highlights the importance of understanding how individual “chronotypes” – whether someone is naturally a morning or evening person – interact with glycemic response. Researchers believe this understanding could lead to more effective diabetes prevention and management strategies.Disruptions in nocturnal blood sugar can interfere with fasting blood sugar levels and negatively impact metabolism.
Looking ahead, Díaz-Rizzolo suggests new technologies like continuous glucose monitors and dedicated mobile applications could play a vital role in implementing thes findings. “These tools can greatly improve the quality of life and the metabolic control of patients,” she saeid. “They help to detect glycemic imbalances early, thus making it possible to adjust food, drugs and physical activity according to objective data.”
