Air purifier in bedroom may help control blood sugar spikes in prediabetics, new study finds
New Delhi: We hear a lot about the importance of eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep to keep blood sugar levels in check. But what if the air you breathe while you sleep plays a role too? A new study suggests that running an air purifier in the bedroom could help people with prediabetes manage variations in blood sugar, especially after breakfast.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health in the United States found that decreasing indoor air pollution with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters was associated with more stable blood sugar levels among adults with prediabetes. The findings suggest that improved indoor air quality could be another path to metabolic health. However, researchers caution that more studies are needed to understand whether the benefits last over time or help prevent type 2 diabetes.
The findings were scheduled to be presented on November 8 at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions.
Can an air purifier help control blood sugar levels?
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but have not yet reached the threshold for type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors are known to influence blood sugar, but researchers are also looking at the impact of air pollution on metabolic health.
Prior studies have shown increased risk of prediabetes and cardiovascular problems with exposure to air pollutants. But it was unclear whether improving indoor air quality could make a measurable difference to blood sugar control.
To investigate this, researchers examined whether using portable HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms could help people with prediabetes maintain steadier glucose levels. Participants who slept with functioning air purifiers experienced fewer fluctuations in their daily blood sugar levels and smaller increases after breakfast compared with those using filters that did not clean the air.
“Our findings suggest that cleaner air at home, especially in the bedroom, may help people with prediabetes keep their blood sugar steady and blunt morning spikes,” said study lead author and cardiologist Sharine L. Wittkopp, MD, PhD, a clinical instructor in NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine and its Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology.
“Installing HEPA filters offers an easy, low-cost tool to help protect heart and metabolic health along with healthy eating, regular exercise, and prescribed medications,” he added.
How does air pollution affect blood sugar?
Air pollution is commonly associated with breathing difficulties, asthma and lung disease. But it may have effects beyond the respiratory system. Breathing in can mean pulling fine particulate matter into your body. That includes particles from vehicle exhaust, wildfires, power plants and industry.
Some of these particles are extremely small, measuring less than one-thirtieth the average width of a human hair. Researchers have linked exposure to such pollutants with cardiovascular and metabolic health problems, including disturbances in blood sugar regulation.
The new study adds to this research by suggesting that reducing exposure to fine particles inside the home may be associated with measurable improvements in glucose patterns.
“Our results add to a growing body of evidence that poor air quality is a threat not only to lung health but to heart and metabolic health as well,” said study senior author Jonathan Newman, MD, MPH, an associate professor in NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine and its Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology.
“These findings support broader efforts to reduce air pollution and suggest that healthcare providers should consider indoor air quality when helping patients manage their cardiometabolic risk,” he added.
Why were morning blood sugar spikes important?
Blood sugar naturally rises after eating as the body digests carbohydrates and releases glucose into the bloodstream. However, people with prediabetes may have difficulty regulating these increases because their bodies do not respond to insulin as effectively as they should. Chronic or repeated glucose spikes can be problematic, especially when other metabolic risk factors are present.
Particularly, this study focused on changes occurring after breakfast. They found that those with working HEPA filters had lower peak blood sugars and lower overall blood sugar increases after their morning meal. The results suggest that the quality of air people breathe overnight may be relevant to how their bodies control glucose the next morning. But the researchers don’t yet know exactly what biological mechanisms are behind these improvements.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the research and is intended for informational purposes only. The findings should not be considered medical advice or used for self-diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.