Taking long naps is associated with a higher risk for diabetes, according to new research.
The study suggests that naps may be beneficial or detrimental to the body, but that depends on their duration.
Researchers examined more than 25,000 Chinese men and women and grouped them based on their nap durations. The results showed that people who reported taking naps of an hour or longer had higher blood sugar and a higher risk of diabetes compared to people who didn’t take naps.
The relationship between napping and diabetes is not known to be causal, researchers said. They said one possibility for the link is that diabetes sometimes causes tiredness, which may encourage napping.
Researchers said that another possibility is that people who take longer naps tend to sleep less at night, and the lack of nighttime sleep could increase a person’s risk for diabetes