'Hormone darkness' and diabetes

Women with low levels of melatonin hormone (also known as dark hormone) at night have a twofold increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to MyHealthNewsDaily.

That was the result of research by scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston (USA) after investigating 370 women with diabetes and 370 women without the disease from 2000 to 2010.

Melatonin hormone helps people sleep well and
not tired when waking up - (Photo: Shutterstock)

The results take into account factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, age, weight, physical activity levels, and sleep duration, according to Dr. Ciaran McMullan, head of the study.

The team analyzed urine samples early in the morning to determine melatonin levels produced at night. This is the hormone involved in the sleep cycle - sleep.

Factors that can reduce melatonin levels are disturbances while sleeping, short periods of time, night shifts and certain medications.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on April 3.