Air conditioner and blood sugarImage Credit source: gerenme/E+/Getty Images
Too Much Air Conditioner Use Can Disturb Blood Sugar Levels: To get relief from the heat, people take help of air conditioner (AC). Be it office or home, nowadays sitting under AC for hours has become a common habit. Cold air provides relief, but do you know that it can also affect your blood sugar level? It may sound a bit strange to hear, but many studies and experts believe that excessive use of AC can prove to be a danger bell for diabetic patients.
In the beginning the effect of AC is not felt directly. Sitting in the cold air, a person feels that the body is relaxing and energy is being saved. But in reality this “energy saving mode” slows down the metabolic activity of the body. When metabolism slows down, the body is unable to use sugar properly and gradually the blood sugar level starts getting disturbed.
Is AC increasing physical inactivity?
Dr. Ajit Kumar in the Department of Medicine at GTB Hospital, Delhi. It is said that another big problem of staying in AC for a long time is “physical inactivity”. When the environment is cold, the body is not able to remain very active. This is the reason why people sit in AC rooms for longer periods and move less. Less activity has a direct impact on insulin sensitivity and the body starts having difficulty converting the glucose present in the blood into energy.
Staying in AC does not burn calories
Continuous use of AC also reduces thermal stress. Normally, when you sweat in summer, the body burns calories, which keeps sugar under control. But sitting in AC deprives the body of that natural process. That means, whatever calories and sugar could have come out through sweat, remains stored in the blood.
Now imagine, if a diabetic patient sits in AC for 8 to 10 hours every day, then how much the natural process of sugar control in his body will slow down. This is the reason why excessive use of AC is considered a risk factor for diabetic patients.
So does this mean that we should give up using AC altogether?
If you stay in AC for a long time, then go out and take a light walk from time to time.
Do some stretching and drink enough water.
Do not keep the room temperature too cold