How Artificial Light Might Be Raising Your Diabetes Risk

Have you ever heard the term 'light pollution'? Yes, it means exactly what you think: the artificial light from all the various electronic devices surrounding us. If you're exposed to too much artificial light, it's now scientifically and empirically proven to be harmful to your health.

A new study conducted in China found a direct link between the amount of artificial light we're exposed to and the likelihood of developing diabetes, among other diseases.

Researchers in China tracked night-shift workers in hospitals and factories, where phones, lights, and other devices requiring artificial light are used.

The exposure duration to artificial light for these workers was more than eight hours and not less than three hours. However, researchers noted an interesting detail: "Even mild exposure to artificial light is linked to a risk of developing diabetes, especially among older adults."

This interesting research builds on identical studies conducted by researchers in India, who compared light pollution levels to health indicators among older adults worldwide. And guess what? In areas using more natural light instead of artificial light, health issues like higher body mass index (BMI), bad cholesterol, and blood pressure are less prevalent. In areas with more nighttime exposure to artificial light, 28% of participants were more likely to develop diabetes.

"We examined over nine million cases of diabetes in China itself, and we believe that for most people age 18 and over who have developed diabetes, there is a link to light pollution. It's a fact that in more rural areas, where there is no use of artificial light at all, there are almost no cases of diabetes or other illnesses."