Lack of physical activity and poor sleep patterns during Ramadan can affect the health of people with Type 2 diabetes, a latest study has shown.
A research by De Montfort University Leicester has also raised concern that the coronavirus lockdown could lead to a dramatic fall in physical activity compared to previous Ramadan festivals.
The patients with Type 2 diabetes should seek medical advice as to whether they take part or not in the Ramadan fasting, the experts have opined.
Dr Abdullah Alghamdi and Professor Parvez Haris have found that lack of physical activity and small periods of night time sleep during Ramadan can affect the way the body uses insulin and glucose.
Dr Alghamdi, under the guidance of Haris, carried out the study in Saudi Arabia on 16 women and 20 men with type-two diabetes.
The research concluded that “the low physical activity and the poor sleep behaviours of the study’s participants may worsen their diabetes” and furthermore this could “minimise the potential of Ramadan intermittent fasting as a non-pharmacological therapy” for managing or even reversing Type 2 diabetes.
Dr Alghamdi said anyone with Type 2 diabetes should seek medical advice about whether they can take part in the fasting.
The researchers have concluded that previously published research had shown intermittent fasting can benefit the health of Type 2 diabetics – but a total lack of physical activity could negate this.
