High outdoor temperature may increase Diabetes risk

The rising outdoor temperature may contribute to the rising number of Diabetes diagnosis in the world, a new research study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care has found. The study was conducted across the hottest and coldest states of the U.S.A for 14 years. The study has found that even 1°C increase in temperature could increase Diabetes incidence by 0.31 per cent per 1000 people. Studies have shown that brown adipose tissue, a type of body fat, is responsible for lower insulin resistance and higher glucose metabolism in the body. It generates body heat by processing large amounts of lipids. This results in less fat accumulation in the body. Cold temperature activates the functioning of brown adipose tissue which in turn protects the body from cold. It has been observed that people, when exposed to the low outdoor temperature, have improved insulin sensitivity.

Further studies are being performed to understand the role of brown adipose tissue in managing Diabetes.

Source: BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 2023