Sunday, March 22, 2026

Reducing the Health Risks of Night Shifts

Night shift work increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It disrupts the body's circadian rhythms"the 24-hour internal "clock" that controls when you sleep and wake.

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More from the article ...

... Studies have shown that eating at night alters the body's metabolism. Specifically, it impairs your ability to process blood sugar, or glucose.

Now, a study suggests there may be a way to combat these effects of night shift work: limit eating to daytime. Researchers found that eating only during the day prevented the high blood sugar linked to night shift work. ...


#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-03-22 12:56 AM

At one point in my career, I was a "third-shift" manager in a industrial manufacturing operation.

First and foremost, I want to say that the people I managed on that shift were excellent, focused on what they needed to accomplish.

But, for me, well, working from 10PM to 6AM the following day, well, I had issues.

For starters, I wound up sleeping only six nights a week, not seven.

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-03-22 01:02 AM

Researchers found that eating only during the day prevented the high blood sugar linked to night shift work. ...

That's pretty brilliant. Alas, people who work night shift are sleeping during the day. Or trying to.

#3 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-03-22 01:05 AM

@# ... Alas, people who work night shift are sleeping during the day. ...

I talked with those I managed on that very topic.

Well, not that exact topic, but a similar one.

I asked of those on the shift, basically, what time is your alarm clock set for?

Stated differently, ...

Do they go to sleep at 6AM when the go home from work?

Or do they have their life at that time, then go to sleep in the afternoon and wake up before their 10PM shift starts?

Most told me, without specifics of a time reference, that they stayed awake to spend time with their families.

I learned a lot from those folk.


#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-03-22 01:24 AM

Third shift sucks the most. I'd sleep on the beach at 9 in the morning. Second shift I was going to college full time and then working. I'd get to bed about 2am and then get up depending on when my class started. Fun times.

#5 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-03-22 01:33 AM

that they stayed awake to spend time with their families.

Not my experience, and I worked 12 hour night shifts for 25 or so years. We went home, and went to bed. Got up, and went back to work.

The idea of working a 12 hour night shift without eating anything is a fantasy. That said, I'm speaking of heavy industry jobs, that tend to burn a lot of energy.

#6 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-03-22 01:33 AM

@#5 ... Third shift sucks the most. ...

I do not disagree.

But it did teach me to learn the dedication of those who work that shift.

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-03-22 01:44 AM

@#5 ... Second shift ...

In hindsight, my opinion of second shift (2PM to 10PM) was also not good.

I was working when my friends were socializing.

YMMV ...

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-03-22 01:48 AM

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