Getting Extra Sleep on Weekends May Reduce Diabetes Risk

Peter Liu of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute and colleagues at the University of Sydney checked insulin sensitivity in 19 non-diabetic men who slept about 6 hours a night during the workweek, but 10 hours on weekend nights. "By extending sleep to 10 hours a night versus 6 hours a night over just three days, we were able to improve insulin sensitivity, which is a marker of diabetes," Liu said in a statement. Liu said findings suggest people should get enough sleep regularly — not just on weekends. Presented at an Endocrine Society meeting, July 2013