Natural light helps control type 2 diabetes blood sugar, new research shows

Sitting by a window may help people with type 2 diabetes control their insulin levels, new research suggests.

The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, found that exposure to natural light (even indoors near a window) changes the way the body processes glucose and uses energy.

Researchers noted that people in Western societies spend 80 percent to 90 percent of their time under artificial lights, which are much dimmer and less dynamic than sunlight. Natural daylight is a powerful cue for the body’s internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm.

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According to research, the body’s internal clock; It affects many processes such as digestion, hormone release and metabolism. When compliance is disrupted, it can worsen insulin resistance and blood sugar control, two of the main problems caused by type 2 diabetes.

To test the effects of sunlight on blood sugar, scientists recruited 13 adults with type 2 diabetes. Each person spent two separate 4.5-day periods in a controlled office environment, according to the press release.

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During one period, participants worked in front of large windows that let in natural daylight. During the other period, participants worked in the same room with the windows closed and were exposed only to typical indoor lighting.

Daylighting does not replace medication or traditional management strategies such as diet and exercise, the researchers noted.

In both cases, everyone ate similar meals, followed the same schedule, and continued their usual diabetes medications.

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While average blood sugar levels did not differ greatly between the two conditions, people spent more time in the healthy glucose range when exposed to natural daylight; blood sugars fluctuated less and remained within the desired range for most of the day.

Participants exposed to sunlight burned more fat and fewer carbohydrates; this metabolic pattern was linked to better blood sugar regulation. (iStock)

Exposure to natural light also affected metabolism. During daylight, participants burned more fat and fewer carbohydrates for energy.

The study, muscle biopsies and laboratory tests also showed that genes responsible for the body’s cellular clocks were more synchronized under natural light conditions.

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The researchers concluded that better alignment of these genes could improve nutrient processing and how cells respond to insulin.

Sitting near windows or spending more time outside may support diabetes management alongside standard treatments, researchers say. (iStock)

However, according to the team, daylight does not replace medication or traditional management strategies such as diet and exercise.

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The study had some limitations, including the small size of the patient group. The researchers cautioned that larger studies are needed to confirm these results and determine how much natural light exposure is optimal.

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“This study also highlights the often unrecognized impact of the built environment on our health and raises further concern about the prevalence of office environments with poor (natural) daylight access,” the researchers said.