Eating An Early Breakfast May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk, New Study Suggests

The early bird may get the worm, but individuals who eat breakfast bright and early in the morning may get more protection against developing type 2 diabetes. That is the conclusion of a recent study that suggests that eating breakfast before 8:30 a.m. can help reduce several type 2 diabetes risk factors.

Lower Blood Glucose Levels and Less Insulin Resistance For Early Eaters

Presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society, the study analyzed data from over 10,000 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The researchers grouped the subjects according to how many hours a day they ate food: fewer than 10 hours, between 10 and 13 hours, and more than 13 hours each day. The researchers also created six subgroups based on eating duration start-time, correlating with whether people ate before or after 8:30 a.m.

The results suggested that individuals who ate breakfast before 8:30 a.m. had a lower fasting blood sugar and less insulin resistance than those who ate later. Insulin resistance occurs when the body doesn’t respond as well to the insulin that the pancreas produces, making glucose less able to enter the cells. Insulin resistance can put individuals at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The lead researcher on the study, Marriam Ali, M.D. of Northwestern University, said that, “We found people who started eating earlier in the day had lower blood sugar levels and less insulin resistance, regardless of whether they restricted their food intake to less than 10 hours a day or their food intake was spread over more than 13 hours daily.”

If you’re worried about your diabetes risk or have prediabetes, eating an early breakfast may be a good idea. In order to further reduce your risk, exercise regularly, limit your concentrated sweets and refined carbohydrates, and limit sugary beverages. 

Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels As Part Of Your Healthy Lifestyle

For those who do develop type 2 diabetes, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is an essential element of managing the condition and avoiding complications. Traditional blood sugar monitoring involves pricking a finger several times a day to test samples, an inconvenient and uncomfortable disruption. Now, however, technology has advanced to the point that finger-pricking may soon be a thing of the past for many people with diabetes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a transceiver device that helps those with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels 24 hours a day without any need to interrupt their day to obtain a sample.

CGM has easy-to-use features that can help each person proactively record and track glucose levels—as well as provide valuable insights on data that helps manage exercise, meals, and daily health status.

Contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

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If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading