Recent research shows that receiving a decent amount of sleep may help protect the general population from type-2 diabetes. People who slept less than 6 hours a night were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes than people who slept up to 8 hours a night. What is even more interesting is that people who slept 9 or more hours a night were also at risk.

This research finding is a result of a six-year study. A team from the University of Buffalo, followed a group of volunteers over a six-year period. Researchers found those who slept on average for fewer than six hours a night during the working week were 4.56 times more likely to develop impaired fasting glucose than those sleeping six to eight hours a night.

Researchers believe not enough sleep can change your metabolism and hormone secretion. Lead researcher Dr Lisa Rafalson said: “This study supports growing evidence of the association of inadequate sleep with adverse health issues.”

Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said “there was a mounting body of evidence linking lack of sleep to conditions such as diabetes.”

What it means for consumers is to be reminded: A good night’s sleep is essential to health.