Is there interference in diabetes because of the time you eat?

According to data from the International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of this disease in the global population has increased by 16% in the last two years. However, according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, it's not just the type of food consumed by diabetics that can affect their health, but also the time of day when the consume. Check out more information about how the meal timing of a person with diabetes can affect their condition.

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Relationship between food and the time it is consumed

Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 4,600 diabetics to assess a possible link between the time they ate and their test results.

The researchers examined not only what the participants said they consumed, but also the times of day they ate. Thus, when all the data were analyzed, two aspects were highlighted:

1. People who consumed potatoes or high-starch vegetables in the morning, whole grains in the afternoon, and arugula, kale, or broccoli (dark vegetables) or milk at night were less likely to develop heart disease (which could lead to death).
2. People who ate processed meats for their evening meals were more likely to develop heart disease (which could lead to death).

As a result, the researchers concluded that dietary guidelines and future diabetes intervention strategies should include the timing of food consumption.

In addition, it is well known that many diabetics try to carefully plan their diet. Sometimes they can get too focused on just which foods are healthy and which ones to avoid. However, people with diabetes should not believe that focusing only on mealtimes is a solution, as physical activity is also important.

Physical exercises to treat diabetes

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, exercise is an important part of your treatment. Regular exercise has a positive impact on a person's glycemic control, as well as on the prevention and control of comorbidities (diseases related to diabetes, such as cardiovascular risk, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, among others).