People who do not get enough sleep are most likely to have insulin and glucose levels similar to whom?

Insufficient sleep can lead to various physiological changes that negatively impact metabolic processes, particularly those related to insulin and glucose regulation. When an individual lacks adequate sleep, their body may exhibit insulin resistance, a condition where the cells do not respond effectively to insulin, thereby leading to elevated glucose levels. This state is commonly observed in individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increase in stress hormones like cortisol, which can further impair insulin sensitivity and disrupt normal glucose metabolism. These effects create a physiological profile resembling that of individuals who are already on the path to developing diabetes due to compromised metabolic health. Therefore, those suffering from inadequate sleep tend to mirror the insulin and glucose levels seen in at-risk populations for diabetes, reflecting a concerning trend toward metabolic dysfunction.

In contrast, healthy individuals typically maintain balanced insulin and glucose levels due to adequate restorative sleep and overall better metabolic health. Individuals with high energy levels may have sufficient sleep and balanced hormones, while those with normal hormone balance are unlikely to exhibit the impaired metabolic responses associated with poor sleep.