Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions
It is a topic of increasing concern that the prevalence of night shift work in our 24/7 society is linked to diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly examine existing research on the intricate connection between diabetes and night shift work, with a specific focus on underlying...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1539679/full |
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| author | Yuye Zhu Jing Mi |
| author_facet | Yuye Zhu Jing Mi |
| author_sort | Yuye Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | It is a topic of increasing concern that the prevalence of night shift work in our 24/7 society is linked to diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly examine existing research on the intricate connection between diabetes and night shift work, with a specific focus on underlying factors including insufficient sleep, disruptions in circadian rhythms, and changes in melatonin levels. Research has shown that the act of working overnight is linked to an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), despite the fact that the exact reasons for this connection remain unclear. Insufficient sleep and disruption of the natural sleep-wake cycle, which are common consequences of working night shifts, can result in a reduced response to insulin and dysfunctional processing of glucose in the body. Moreover, changes in the production of melatonin, a hormone closely associated with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, may have a significant impact. Although working the night shift presents numerous difficulties, interventions targeting the enhancement of sleep quality, adjustment of circadian rhythms, and increase in melatonin levels show potential in reducing the risk of developing T2DM. Further studies must persist in exploring these mechanisms and implementing successful tactics to safeguard the wellbeing of shift workers in our current societal context. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e7af066f7bca487ca45ff1a4a0c6937e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e7af066f7bca487ca45ff1a4a0c6937e2025-08-20T03:13:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15396791539679Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventionsYuye ZhuJing MiIt is a topic of increasing concern that the prevalence of night shift work in our 24/7 society is linked to diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly examine existing research on the intricate connection between diabetes and night shift work, with a specific focus on underlying factors including insufficient sleep, disruptions in circadian rhythms, and changes in melatonin levels. Research has shown that the act of working overnight is linked to an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), despite the fact that the exact reasons for this connection remain unclear. Insufficient sleep and disruption of the natural sleep-wake cycle, which are common consequences of working night shifts, can result in a reduced response to insulin and dysfunctional processing of glucose in the body. Moreover, changes in the production of melatonin, a hormone closely associated with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, may have a significant impact. Although working the night shift presents numerous difficulties, interventions targeting the enhancement of sleep quality, adjustment of circadian rhythms, and increase in melatonin levels show potential in reducing the risk of developing T2DM. Further studies must persist in exploring these mechanisms and implementing successful tactics to safeguard the wellbeing of shift workers in our current societal context.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1539679/fullnight shift worktype 2 diabetes mellitusmelatonincircadian rhythmssleep deprivation |
| spellingShingle | Yuye Zhu Jing Mi Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions Frontiers in Public Health night shift work type 2 diabetes mellitus melatonin circadian rhythms sleep deprivation |
| title | Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions |
| title_full | Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions |
| title_fullStr | Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions |
| title_short | Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions |
| title_sort | unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes exploring mechanisms and potential interventions |
| topic | night shift work type 2 diabetes mellitus melatonin circadian rhythms sleep deprivation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1539679/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yuyezhu unravelingthecomplexrelationshipbetweennightshiftworkanddiabetesexploringmechanismsandpotentialinterventions AT jingmi unravelingthecomplexrelationshipbetweennightshiftworkanddiabetesexploringmechanismsandpotentialinterventions |