![Bright Lights, Big Risk: Alarming Link Between Light Exposure and Gestational Diabetes! Bright Lights, Big Risk: Alarming Link Between Light Exposure and Gestational Diabetes!](https://images.medindia.net/health-images/1200_1000/food-supplements-pregnancy.jpg)
‘To reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, pregnant women should dim lights and limit screen time before bedtime, reveals a study.’
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The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal Fetal Medicine, examined 741 women in their second trimester. Pre-Sleep Light Exposure Linked to Higher Gestational Diabetes Risk
The results showed that women who developed gestational diabetes mellitus had greater light exposure in the three hours before sleep onset.They did not differ in their light exposure during daytime or sleep or in their activity levels compared to those who did not develop it.
Pre-sleep light exposure may affect glucose metabolism through sympathetic overactivity, meaning the heart rate goes up before bed when it should go down, the researchers explained.
"It seems there is inappropriate activation of the fight or flight response when it is time to rest," said lead study author Dr. Minjee Kim, Assistant Professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
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Modifiable Risk Factor for Gestational Diabetes: Light Exposure
While scientists don't know which source of bright light causes the problem, it might all add up, Kim said."Try to reduce whatever light is in your environment in those three hours before you go to bed," Kim said.
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"Our study suggests that light exposure before bedtime may be an under-recognized yet easily modifiable risk factor of gestational diabetes," Kim said.
Source-IANS