Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Sleep, Diet, and Diabetes Risk November 13, 2025 This World Diabetes Day is a good moment to pause and look at a relationship many people don’t realise is so deeply intertwined: sleep, diet, and diabetes risk. Poor sleep isn’t just about feeling tired or groggy the next day — it has real, measurable effects on our metabolic health, appetite, and long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes. How Lack of Sleep Disrupts Blood Sugar Sleeping less than six to seven hours a night has been linked to higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.1 When sleep is cut short, our bodies struggle to manage glucose effectively. Over time, ongoing sleep loss can lead to glucose intolerance (difficulty breaking down glucose) and insulin resistance (when insulin doesn’t work as well).1 These changes increase blood glucose levels and can almost double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.1 For people already living with diabetes, poor sleep can make day-to-day management harder. Blood glucose becomes more difficult to control, and irregular sleep routines can throw off everything from energy levels to appetite.1 Why Poor Sleep Makes Us Crave More Food When we don’t sleep enough, our appetite hormones shift. Ghrelin (the hunger hormone) rises, while leptin (the fullness hormone) drops.2 Research shows that being sleep-deprived can increase total daily energy intake by around 20 percent.1 And unsurprisingly, the foods people reach for tend to be high in sugar, fat, and carbohydrates.2 Add daytime fatigue into the mix — the kind that leaves you less motivated to exercise — and you can see how quickly this cycle becomes self-reinforcing.2 Poor sleep leads to overeating, weight gain makes blood glucose harder to manage, and rising blood sugar interferes with sleep all over again.2 Sleep Apnea and Diabetes: A Strong Connection Sleep apnea is a common condition where the throat closes repeatedly during sleep, causing breathing to stop for seconds at a time.2 Oxygen levels drop, the brain wakes you briefly, and the cycle repeats — often without the person realising it’s happening.2 This can leave you feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed. Sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes often occur together. Studies suggest that between 50–80 percent of people with diabetes also experience sleep apnea.1 CPAP therapy is a common treatment for sleep apnea. It involves a bedside machine that gently blows air through an open mask to keep the airway open and reduce symptoms throughout the night.2 Better Sleep Habits to Break the Cycle Simple habits can support more restorative sleep3: • Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. • Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime. • Switch off screens at least an hour before sleep. • Aim for consistent bed and wake times. • Include daily physical activity — even 30 minutes can have immediate benefits for sleep and blood glucose. Take Charge of Your Health If you've been feeling unusually tired, waking unrested, snoring loudly, or noticing changes in your appetite or energy levels, it may be worth speaking with your doctor or a sleep specialist. This World Diabetes Day, taking steps toward better sleep could be one of the most powerful things you do for your long-term health. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply. References “StackPath.” Www.diabetesaustralia.com.au, www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/blog/sleep-and-diabetes/. Pacheco, Danielle. “Diabetes and Sleep: Sleep Disturbances & Coping.” Sleep Foundation, 1 Apr. 2022, www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/lack-of-sleep-and-diabetes. “Sleep and Diabetes.” Diabetes UK, 23 Aug. 2023, www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/sleep-and-diabetes.
