Health · Medical Research · 9 hrs ago
Bedroom air filters linked to steadier blood sugar in prediabetes study
Researchers in New York City studied more than 150 adults with prediabetes, whose blood sugar is higher than normal.
Prediabetes raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and air pollution has been linked to both.
For about a month, half the participants slept with working bedroom air filters, while the rest used sham filters that did not clean the air.
The real filters cut tiny air particles by 36 percent and were linked to nearly 8 percent smaller daily blood sugar swings.
After breakfast, average extra glucose in the blood fell by about 17 percent, and peak levels were 13 percent lower.
The findings suggest cleaner bedroom air may help steady blood sugar, alongside healthy eating, exercise and prescribed medication.
The study results will be presented at the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions; the sources do not say what further research is planned.
A study found that bedroom HEPA filters were linked to steadier blood sugar in adults with prediabetes.
The real filters reduced tiny air-particle levels by 36 percent among participants.
Daily blood sugar swings fell by nearly 8 percent, while extra glucose after breakfast fell by about 17 percent on average.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health studied more than 150 men and women in New York City.
The findings were scheduled for presentation at the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions on November 8.
- Who
- More than 150 men and women with prediabetes took part. Researchers at NYU Langone Health led the study.
- What
- Researchers tested whether portable bedroom HEPA filters affected blood sugar control.
- When
- Participants used real or sham filters for about a month. Results were scheduled for presentation on November 8.
- Where
- The study took place in New York City, with filters used in participants’ bedrooms.
- Why
- Researchers sought to test whether reducing exposure to air pollution at home could improve blood sugar control.
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Participants wore continuous glucose monitors for one week to record their blood sugar.
Participants used either real or sham portable air cleaners in their bedrooms.
Participants wore continuous glucose monitors again so researchers could compare blood sugar patterns over time.
The results were scheduled for presentation at the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions.
- Study participants
- More than 150 men and women with prediabetes
- Study location
- New York City
- Air-particle reduction
- 36 percent with real filters
- Daily blood sugar swings
- Nearly 8 percent lower
- Extra glucose after breakfast
- About 17 percent lower on average
2 sources
What people are saying
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.