Does one short night of sleep cause insulin resistance?

pooled analysis · 2022

“Moreover, the studies that had only one night of sleep restriction reported significant reductions in insulin sensitivity [26,40,41,48], suggesting that one night is enough to have an acute negative effect on insulin sensitivity.”

Effects of sleep manipulation on markers of insulin sensitivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sleep Med Rev
Who: Participants without known sleep disorders in randomized controlled trials, mostly young healthy normal-weight adults (plus one study of adolescent boys) under laboratory conditions
PMID 35189549

controlled trial · 2016

“Our findings indicate that a single night of PSD is already sufficient to impair fasting insulin sensitivity in healthy men.”

A single night of partial sleep loss impairs fasting insulin sensitivity but does not affect cephalic phase insulin release in young men. J Sleep Res
Who: Metabolically healthy young men (mean age 22.9, BMI 22.9) with regular sleep habits
PMID 26361380

other primary study · 2019

“Irrespective of its timing, sleep curtailment to 4 hours reduced insulin sensitivity as measured by lower glucose infusion rates during an HEC (i.e., lower M-values).”

Timing Modulates the Effect of Sleep Loss on Glucose Homeostasis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
Who: 15 healthy normal-weight men aged 20-30
PMID 30807636

other primary study · 2013

“The present study suggests that, despite maintained SWS, three nights of moderate sleep restriction acutely decreases insulin sensitivity in healthy, lean adolescent boys.”

Acute Sleep Restriction Reduces Insulin Sensitivity in Adolescent Boys. Sleep
Who: 21 healthy normal-weight male adolescents aged 15-19 (mean 16.8 y)
PMID 23814346

trial or observed group · 2010

“In addition, insulin levels 4 h after the breakfast were significantly higher after sleep deprivation than after baseline sleep.”

Effect of total sleep deprivation on postprandial metabolic and insulin responses in shift workers and non-shift workers. J Endocrinol
Who: 24 healthy men aged 25-45 (11 experienced shift workers, 13 non-shift workers), University of Surrey
PMID 20479040

controlled trial · 2017

“In conclusion, two nights of 50% sleep restriction leads to impaired glucose regulation in healthy males, indicated by a reduction in whole‐body insulin sensitivity.”

Skeletal muscle insulin signaling and whole-body glucose metabolism following acute sleep restriction in healthy males. Physiol Rep
Who: healthy young men (age 23±4, BMI 24.9) sleeping at home
PMID 29233906

controlled trial · 2012

“These data suggest that, in the context of negative energy balance, short sleep does not lead to a state of increased insulin resistance, but may predispose to overeating via separate mechanisms in men and women.”

Short sleep duration, glucose dysregulation and hormonal regulation of appetite in men and women. Sleep
Who: Normal-weight men and women (BMI 22-26), aged 30-45 yr, habitually sleeping 7-9 hr/night, inpatient
PMID 23115399

other primary study · 2008

“There was also no significant effect of sleep loss intervention on basal and post OGTT insulin levels in our subjects, suggesting the absence of insulin resistance (table 3).”

Influence of partial sleep deprivation on energy balance and insulin sensitivity in healthy women. Obes Facts
Who: 14 healthy women aged 23-38, BMI 20.0-36.6, Kiel, Germany
PMID 20054188